Heglig, December 8 (Darfur24)
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Monday took control of the Heglig oil fields in West Kordofan State, marking a major shift in the military balance in the region.
The takeover comes one week after the RSF tightened its grip on the Sudanese army’s 22nd Division in Babanusa.
Sources told Darfur24 that RSF forces seized Brigade 90 in Heglig, affiliated with the 22nd Division, before advancing toward the oil installations and taking control without major resistance. The Sudanese army withdrew from its positions in the early hours of Monday, clearing the way for RSF forces to enter the area without clashes.
Local mediation reportedly persuaded the army to withdraw in an effort to prevent fighting that could have caused extensive damage to vital oil infrastructure.
RSF fighters later circulated videos on social media showing their presence inside Heglig.
Oil companies shut down operations and evacuate staff
Operating companies in Heglig closed their facilities hours before the army’s withdrawal and the RSF’s entry. An engineer in the field told Darfur24 that companies completely shut down the field at 9 p.m. on Sunday, evacuating all employees to Unity State in South Sudan. Workers were transported via Bentiu Airport as part of the emergency evacuation plan.
RSF announces security measures for Heglig
The head of the RSF’s civilian administration in West Kordofan, Youssef Aliyan, said an agreement had been reached with the RSF leadership to deploy a specialized force to secure the Heglig oil field and safeguard oil installations against sabotage or threats.
Aliyan stated that coordination between West Kordofan and South Sudan’s Unity State would continue on security matters, community peace initiatives, and coexistence in border areas.
He announced several directives to stabilize the area, including banning the entry of any unauthorized forces or entities into Heglig, prohibiting the entry of civilian cars and motorcycles into the field perimeter and removing and outlawing any unofficial gates or outposts in or around the field.
Heglig’s strategic importance
Heglig contains around 75 oil wells across multiple production blocks and hosts the central processing facility that handles crude produced in West Kordofan and neighboring South Sudan.