Fighting near Sudan’s largest oil refinery has led to extensive fires, producing thick smoke over Khartoum. General Burhan’s forces claim control over the facility, which has strategic importance in the civil war against the RSF. Satellite imagery reveals widespread destruction, highlighting the impact on Sudan’s humanitarian crisis amid ongoing violence and international mediation failures.
Recent fighting near Sudan’s largest oil refinery has led to significant fires engulfing the complex, as indicated by satellite data. The flames have produced dense, black smoke over the capital, Khartoum. Forces loyal to General Abdel al-Fattah Burhan claimed to have taken control of the refinery, which is jointly owned by the Sudanese government and China National Petroleum Corp, marking a strategic victory in the ongoing civil war with the Rapid Support Force (RSF).
The al-Jaili refinery is located approximately 60 kilometers north of Khartoum and has previously been targeted, having been guarded by RSF forces since April 2023. Reports indicate that the RSF has encircled the facility with landmines to hinder military advances. Despite these attempts, the refinery, which has a crucial capacity of 100,000 barrels of oil daily, sustained damage following the recent attacks that initiated fires across the site.
Satellite assessments conducted by Nasa and Planet Labs documented the extensive damage, revealing large parts of the refinery ablaze. One particular image captured flames rising prominently from multiple locations within the facility, with several oil tanks severely burned and covered in soot. The systematic devastation of this vital resource comes amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, further exemplifying the dire conditions faced by the nation.
International efforts to mediate the conflict, including U.S. assertions of genocide involving RSF and its affiliates, have proven ineffective in halting the violence. This ongoing conflict continues to escalate, contributing to an already grave humanitarian situation in Sudan, where famine threatens the lives of many citizens.
Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war that has caused widespread destruction and humanitarian distress. The conflict centers around power struggles between military factions, including the Rapid Support Force (RSF) and the Sudanese military, led by General Abdel al-Fattah Burhan. The al-Jaili oil refinery has become a significant target, symbolizing control over critical resources amidst the ongoing violence and instability. Efforts by the international community to mediate the situation have largely been unsuccessful, as the conflict escalates against a backdrop of famine and suffering among civilians.
The recent fire at Sudan’s largest oil refinery serves as a stark illustration of the escalating conflict in the region. Control of the facility has shifted amidst ongoing violence, severely impacting Sudan’s oil production and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Despite international advocacy and claims of genocide related to the RSF’s actions, efforts to stabilize the situation have yet to yield significant outcomes. The continuous fighting threatens the lives of countless individuals already facing dire circumstances.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
