Sudan’s army and RSF trade blame over refinery fire
3 min read
The Sudanese army and RSF are accusing each other of causing a fire at a major oil refinery, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict and threatening the country's energy supply.
A devastating fire has destroyed a major oil refinery located 71 kilometers north of Khartoum, sparking a bitter exchange of blame between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both factions accuse each other of initiating the attack, which has heightened tensions in an already volatile conflict.
The Sudanese army has accused the RSF of intentionally setting the refinery ablaze, calling it a “desperate attempt” to cripple the country’s oil resources after failing to seize control of them. The army claims that the attack is part of a broader strategy by the RSF to destabilize Sudan, as both sides continue their battle for power and control over key assets in the country.
In contrast, the RSF has placed the blame on the army, alleging that the refinery was targeted by airstrikes using barrel bombs early in the morning. For the RSF, this act of destruction is just one example of what they describe as “war crimes” committed by the army since the conflict began. The paramilitary group has accused the army of targeting civilian infrastructure, further escalating the humanitarian crisis in the country.
Witnesses who were near the scene of the attack reported seeing thick black smoke rising from the refinery, one of Sudan’s largest and most crucial sources of energy. The facility is vital to the country’s energy supply, and its destruction has raised significant concerns about the long-term impact on Sudan’s ability to meet its energy needs, especially as the nation grapples with ongoing instability.
This fire comes amid escalating violence between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which has been at the heart of the country’s internal conflict since tensions first flared earlier this year. Both sides have traded accusations of war crimes and human rights violations as they battle for control of the country, and the destruction of critical infrastructure such as oil refineries only adds to the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.
The Sudanese army and RSF have been at odds for months, and the situation in Khartoum and other major cities has grown increasingly dire. The country, which has long struggled with political instability, is now facing the fallout from a brutal civil war that threatens to destabilize the entire region. The destruction of vital infrastructure, such as the oil refinery, further complicates efforts to bring peace and rebuild the economy.
As the war rages on, the international community has expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan. Aid organizations are struggling to provide relief to the millions of people displaced by the conflict, and the destruction of infrastructure like oil refineries and power plants only makes the situation worse. With both sides unwilling to back down, it remains unclear how the conflict will resolve and whether there will be any meaningful efforts to address the growing humanitarian disaster.
In the wake of the refinery fire, the Sudanese army and RSF continue to exchange harsh accusations, with each side seeking to shift blame onto the other. For the people of Sudan, however, the fire represents another tragic chapter in a long-standing conflict that has caused immense suffering and displaced millions of people.
As the violence continues, the destruction of vital infrastructure like the oil refinery underscores the high stakes of the conflict and the devastating impact it is having on Sudan’s future. With both the army and RSF fighting for control of the country’s most important resources, the international community will need to work together to find a way to stop the fighting and begin rebuilding Sudan before it is too late.
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