Sudan condemns RSF attack on Heglig oil fields, hints at shutdown
August 30, 2025 (HEGLIG) – The Sudanese government on Saturday condemned an attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Heglig oil fields in South Kordofan state, hinting at a potential suspension of operations and evacuation of workers after civilians were killed.
The pre-dawn Saturday assault on the oil fields and their adjacent airport marks the second attack of its kind in less than a week. The area produces 20,000 barrels of oil per day from approximately 75 wells and hosts the central processing facility for South Sudan’s oil.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government of Sudan “condemns the treacherous attack carried out by the RSF militia on the Heglig oil fields, which resulted in the death and injury of several civilian workers in the area.”
The ministry indicated that the government “may be forced, for security reasons, to take measures to halt work in the field and evacuate workers from the area to preserve their lives.”
Several companies involved in oil extraction operate in the region, which includes a civilian airport and a field hospital. Their activities have continued despite the conflict that began on April 15, 2023.
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the RSF has persistently targeted infrastructure and vital facilities that provide public services. It stated that these attacks have escalated beyond harming national interests to targeting the interests of South Sudan and foreign companies operating in the Heglig area.
The ministry explained that the Sudanese government has consistently reported the RSF’s violations against the Sudanese people without any action from the international community, which has emboldened the militia to extend its transgressions beyond Sudan to its neighbours, posing a security threat to the entire region.
For its part, the operating company, OPCO, stated that it is “committed to continuing work, but we are preparing for the possibility of a shutdown if the attacks persist, as the safety of our employees is a top priority.”
The company noted that drones attacked Heglig airport in the second such incident near the oil field. The first occurred on August 26, killing five people and injuring seven others.
PetroLines, another company in the area, also expressed its readiness to halt operations if the attacks continue.
The RSF’s attempts to control the oil fields have so far been thwarted after their capture of the nearby al-Kharsana area, as the army prepares to defend Heglig, located close to the border with South Sudan.