RSF Captures Strategic Heglig Oilfield Amid Escalating Sudan Conflict

On December 8, 2025, Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced the capture of the Heglig oilfield, a strategic asset located in South Kordofan province near the border with South Sudan. This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the RSF and Sudanese government forces, with potential ramifications for regional stability and economic interests.

The Heglig oilfield is Sudan's largest and serves as the main processing facility for South Sudanese oil exports. Oil from Heglig is transported through the Greater Nile pipeline system to Port Sudan on the Red Sea, making it vital for both Sudan's foreign currency earnings and South Sudan's oil exports. Prior to the conflict that began in April 2023, South Sudan exported between 100,000 and 150,000 barrels of oil per day through Sudanese pipelines. The ongoing hostilities have repeatedly disrupted these oil flows, impacting the economies of both nations.

In anticipation of potential clashes, Sudanese government forces and oil workers evacuated the Heglig area to prevent damage to the oil infrastructure. Operations at the field were halted, and workers were relocated to South Sudan. Following the RSF's takeover, local civilian authorities deployed a specialized protection force to secure the oilfield and prevent potential sabotage or threats to the infrastructure.

The RSF's control over Heglig poses significant economic challenges for both Sudan and South Sudan. The capture of Heglig also represents a strategic military gain for the RSF, potentially altering the balance of power in the region. The RSF's recent advances, including the capture of el-Fasher in October, indicate a concerted effort to expand control over resource-rich areas.

The conflict has led to significant displacement and humanitarian crises. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, warned that the RSF's advances could trigger a new wave of refugees fleeing the country. Since the conflict began, nearly 12 million people have been displaced, with 4.3 million fleeing to neighboring countries.

In response to the escalating conflict, the United States imposed sanctions on a transnational network accused of recruiting ex-Colombian military personnel to train fighters for the RSF. The U.S. Treasury Department highlighted the RSF's repeated attacks on civilians and urged external actors to cease their support.

Heglig has been a point of contention in the past. In April 2012, South Sudan's Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) captured the Heglig oilfield, leading to a brief occupation before Sudanese forces regained control. The current seizure by the RSF marks another chapter in the region's complex history of conflict over valuable resources.

The RSF's seizure of the Heglig oilfield underscores the volatile nature of the conflict in Sudan and its potential to disrupt regional stability. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and stabilize the region.