Port Sudan: The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of Sudan's largest oil field, Heglig, located in the resource-rich Kordofan region along the southern border, forcing the evacuation of its staff, an engineer confirmed Monday.

Speaking anonymously from across the border, the engineer told AFP that the RSF took control early Monday, prompting technical teams to shut down operations and evacuate workers to South Sudan.

Sudan's energy and petroleum ministry had not immediately responded to requests for comment about the capture.

Since April 2023, the RSF has been engaged in a violent conflict with Sudan’s regular army, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of around 12 million people, and severe damage to the country's infrastructure.

The Heglig field, Sudan’s largest, also processes nearly all of South Sudan’s oil exports, which form the backbone of Juba’s government revenue. The processing plant linked to the field was also shut down during the takeover.

The army has repeatedly accused the RSF of launching drone attacks on Heglig, leading to temporary suspensions of oil operations in August.

Heglig lies deep in southern Kordofan, a region witnessing intense fighting as the army and RSF vie for control. A recent RSF drone strike hit a kindergarten and hospital in South Kordofan, killing dozens of civilians, including children, according to local officials and army-aligned authorities.

In October, the RSF expelled army forces from their last stronghold in western Darfur, forcing the military into a defensive position as RSF advances continue through Kordofan toward Khartoum.

Sudan is effectively divided, with the army controlling the north, east, and centre, while the RSF holds the west and large parts of the south with its allies.

With inputs from AFP