Sudanese army drone strike kills tribal leaders, RSF fighters near oil field

December 9, 2025 (HEGLIG) – A Sudanese army drone strike killed seven tribal leaders and dozens of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters near the oil-rich town of Heglig on Tuesday, sources told Sudan Tribune.

The attack occurred just one day after the RSF seized control of Heglig and its vital oilfields in West Kordofan state, following the army’s withdrawal across the border into South Sudan.

Sources within the RSF-aligned state government said the strike targeted a delegation from the Misseriya tribe in the Fama area. The group reportedly travelled to Heglig to implement new security measures to protect oil facilities from looting and sabotage.

Among those killed was Omda Hamdan Jar Al-Nabi, a prominent leader within the Native Administration. Jar Al-Nabi was one of 22 Misseriya leaders who had signed a letter in December 2023 warning RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo against expanding the war into their territory or damaging oil infrastructure.

The Sudan Founding Alliance “Tasis”, a political coalition, condemned the strike, accusing the army of attempting to “create chaos” and destabilize the local social fabric. The group called for an independent international investigation.

The strategic Heglig field processes 130,000 barrels of crude oil per day from neighbouring South Sudan. Recently, the facility’s production has been severely hampered by repeated drone attacks and looting.

In response to the worsening security, the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has decided to end its investments in Sudan, concluding a 30-year partnership, the report added.