Fighting around Sudan’s largest oil refinery led to extensive fires, as satellite data reveals. The facility has changed hands amid ongoing civil conflict between military forces and the RSF. International mediation has failed to stop the violence, exacerbating Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.
Recent conflicts in Sudan have led to the burning of the country’s largest oil refinery, as confirmed by satellite data. The refinery, which lies approximately 60 kilometers north of Khartoum, has been a target amid the ongoing civil war between government forces and the rebel Rapid Support Force (RSF). Although the RSF had controlled the facility since April 2023, loyalty to Sudan’s military under General Abdel al-Fattah Burhan has been reported to have captured it.
Satellite imagery shows extensive fires raging across the refinery due to an attack on Thursday. Prior to that, the facility, which can process 100,000 barrels of oil daily, had remained largely intact but had been previously targeted. Recent reports indicate that the RSF strategically surrounded the refinery with landmines to deter any advances by opposing forces.
Meanwhile, international mediation efforts and pressure tactics, including allegations from U.S. officials regarding genocide accreditations against the RSF and its allies, have not succeeded in ceasing hostilities. As the humanitarian crisis in Sudan deteriorates amidst this chaotic backdrop, the implications of these developments remain dire for the local population.
Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war, particularly between the military, led by General Abdel al-Fattah Burhan, and the rebel group known as the Rapid Support Force (RSF). This conflict has escalated, leading to severe humanitarian consequences for the nation. The al-Jaili refinery, owned jointly by the Sudanese government and the China National Petroleum Corporation, has been a focal point in this struggle. Located near the capital, Khartoum, its strategic value exacerbates the ongoing violence.
The recent destruction of Sudan’s largest oil refinery amidst civil conflict underscores the severe impact of ongoing violence on the nation’s infrastructure and humanitarian situation. As the military claims control of the facility while international efforts to mediate fail, the consequences for the local population continue to worsen. This situation illustrates the complexities of power dynamics and the tragic humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
