Sudan Condemns Attack on Oil Fields in Heglig and Hints at Withdrawing Workers

 

The Sudanese government on Saturday condemned an attack launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia on the oil fields in Heglig, South Kordofan State, hinting that it may be forced to suspend operations and withdraw workers following the killing of civilians.

 

 

The attack, carried out at dawn on Saturday against the oil fields, including the airport, was the second of its kind in less than a week on the area, which produces 20,000 barrels of oil per day from about 75 wells and also hosts the central processing facility for South Sudan’s petroleum.

 

 

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Government of Sudan “condemns the treacherous attack carried out by the RSF militia on the Heglig oil fields, which resulted in the killing and injury of a number of civilian workers in the area.”

 

 

It noted that, “for security reasons, the government may be compelled to suspend operations in the field and evacuate workers from the area in order to safeguard their lives.”

 

 

Several companies operate in oil extraction from the area, which includes a civilian airport and a field hospital, and their activities have continued despite the ongoing conflict since April 15, 2023.

 

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the militia has persistently targeted infrastructure and vital facilities that provide services to citizens, and that these attacks have gone beyond harming national interests to targeting the interests of South Sudan and foreign companies operating in the Heglig area.

 

 

It further stated that the Government of Sudan has consistently highlighted the RSF’s violations against the Sudanese people, without any meaningful response from the international community, which has emboldened the militia to expand its violations beyond Sudan to its neighbors, posing a security threat to the region.

 

 

For its part, Oil and Petroleum Company (OBCO) said in a statement that it is “committed to continuing operations, but we are preparing for the possibility of halting work should the attacks persist, as the safety of our employees is a top priority.”

 

 

It pointed out that Heglig Airport was attacked by drones, the second such strike near the oil field, with the first occurring on August 26, killing five people and injuring seven others.

 

 

Petrolines Company also said in a statement that it is ready to suspend operations if the attacks continue.

 

 

The RSF militia’s attempts to seize the oil fields have faltered after it captured the nearby Al-Khursana area, as the army prepares to defend Heglig, located close to the border with South Sudan.