Sudanese army, RSF trade blames over burnt oil refinery

KHARTOUM, Sudan - The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have accused each other of burning one of the oil refineries in the country, with the war between the two entities entering the third year.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick plumes of smoke covering the area around the Al-Jaili refinery about 70 kilometers (40 miles) from Khartoum, AFP reports.

For two years, the RSF has claimed to be in control of the refinery, which is responsible for the production of millions of barrels of oil.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had claimed since the first month of the war, in April 2023, to be in control of the refinery. The army alleged that the RSF "deliberately set fire" to the facility in an attempt to destroy Sudan's infrastructure after failing to seize control of the country's "resources and land".

The RSF, however, blamed the military for the destruction, accusing it of targeting the refinery with barrel bombs during air strikes in the morning. Joe Biden administration had sanctioned Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army leader with the RSF boss Hamdan Daglo also suffering the same fate.

A military source has told AFP the army is advancing closer to Khartoum North, also known as Bahri, following days of military operations aimed at dislodging the RSF from fortified positions in the city.

This follows the army's recapture almost two weeks ago of the Al-Jazira state capital Wad Madani, a strategic crossroads south of Khartoum. RSF had controlled Wad Madani for more than a year.

Sudan has been in turmoil since the ouster of deposed President Omar al-Bashir, who fell victim to the civilian uprising in 2019, which was seized by the military. Al-Bashir is in prison over crimes against humanity in the Horn of Africa nation.

GAROWE ONLINE