Sudanese army, RSF trade accusations over Khartoum refinery fire
November 7, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The Khartoum refinery, a critical facility, was engulfed in a massive fire, leading to a blame game between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), each pointing fingers at the other for the incident.
On Tuesday, a significant fire erupted at the Khartoum Oil Refinery, situated in the Al-Jaili area, approximately 70 kilometres north of the Sudanese capital. The incident was accompanied by the release of thick smoke into the sky.
Established in 1997, the Khartoum Oil Refinery is a joint venture between Sudan and China. It is linked to a 1,610-kilometer export pipeline running to the Bashayer Port on the Red Sea’s eastern Sudan coast.
In a statement issued on the same day, the RSF accused the Sudanese army’s warplanes of carrying out an airstrike on the largest refinery in the country, resulting in the destruction of central storage facilities.
The RSF claimed that this attack aimed at sabotaging the nation’s essential infrastructure, asserting, “This assault led to the destruction of critical petroleum storage facilities, an act that undermines the indispensable infrastructure required by the Sudanese people.”
In contrast, Sudanese army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah refuted these allegations and attributed the fire to the RSF.
According to Abdallah, “A militia tanker exploded at the Khartoum Refinery while being loaded with fuel, disregarding the safety protocols followed in such sensitive facilities.” He went on to add that the explosion triggered a fire in the corporate section (the Nile Company) and resulted in the refinery’s destruction.
It’s worth noting that the RSF took control of the refinery a few days after the outbreak of hostilities in Khartoum with the Sudanese army. The facility has been crucial in supplying the RSF’s troops within the country.
The army spokesman drew attention to the RSF’s prior attack on the Belila oil field in West Kordofan State, raising concerns that they might employ a “similar irresponsible and destructive approach” towards the nation’s oil installations.
(ST)