A fire that ravaged a major oil refinery located 71 kilometers north of Khartoum has sparked a war of words between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Each side has blamed the other for the attack, amplifying the accusations of an escalation in the conflict.
According to an official army statement, the RSF was responsible for setting the refinery on fire in what was described as a “desperate attempt” to destroy the country’s oil infrastructure, following several failed attempts to seize control of national resources. The army emphasized that this act was part of a broader strategy to further destabilize Sudan.
On the other hand, the RSF accused the Sudanese army of being behind the destruction. They claim that airstrikes, launched with barrel bombs, targeted the refinery in the morning. For the paramilitaries, this act is part of a series of “war crimes” committed by the army since the start of the conflict.
Witnesses on the ground reported seeing large plumes of smoke darkening the sky around the oil facility. This site is one of the largest oil refineries in the country, playing a strategic role in the nation’s energy supply.
Escalation of the Military Conflict in Khartoum
The refinery fire comes amid intensifying fighting in Khartoum. This week, the Sudanese army announced progress toward the north of the capital, specifically toward Khartoum North (Bahri), where it is carrying out military operations to expel the RSF from their strategic positions. This offensive follows the recapture of Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazira State, located in central Sudan.
The Sudanese army has reinforced its positions in the north and east of the country, while the RSF continues to control key areas in the west, particularly in Darfur, as well as in Kordofan in the south. The war has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, and more than 12 million people have been displaced, making this crisis the largest humanitarian catastrophe recorded in the region.
Economic and Humanitarian Impact
The attack on the refinery and the escalating military violence are having major repercussions on Sudan’s economy, particularly in the oil sector. The sector represents a significant portion of the country’s revenue, and the destruction of crucial infrastructure hampers production and export capabilities.
The country, already grappling with a severe economic crisis, is also suffering the effects of prolonged political instability, with a divided government and a civil war threatening to further paralyze the economy.
Regional Geopolitical Consequences
The confrontation between the army and the RSF extends beyond Sudan’s borders, affecting the Sahel region and northeastern Africa. Neighboring countries, already facing tensions and challenges related to managing refugee flows, are closely monitoring the evolution of the conflict. Sudan’s increased instability is likely to cause a massive exodus of populations fleeing the war, while also fueling regional tensions.
This situation adds to the strategic issues related to natural resources, particularly oil, which is essential for both the country’s and the region’s economic stability. International actors, including neighboring countries and global powers, continue to closely monitor the war, although their ability to influence Sudan’s internal dynamics remains limited.
