Nearly 2,000 flee Sudan's Heglig after RSF captures key oil area

Close to 2,000 civilians have fled the strategic Sudanese city of Heglig in West Kordofan after paramilitary forces captured the area last week, undertaking a difficult nine-day displacement journey. The exodus represents the latest humanitarian crisis stemming from the protracted war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Arrival in Kosti and Emergency Aid Response

According to Sudan's state news agency SUNA, White Nile State Governor Qamar El-Din Mohamed reported that 1,850 displaced individuals have arrived in the city of Kosti. Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Lamyaa Ahmed Abdullah stated that local and national organizations, alongside civil society groups, have initiated efforts to provide the new arrivals with essential food assistance, shelter, and medical services.

Strategic Importance and Broader Conflict Dynamics

The RSF's takeover of Heglig included control of a significant oilfield, marking a strategic gain in the resource-rich region. The three Kordofan states have been scenes of intense combat for weeks, driving tens of thousands from their homes. The broader conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions across Sudan.

Current Territorial Control Across Sudan

The RSF currently holds all five states of the Darfur region in the west, with the exception of some northern army-held areas in North Darfur. The Sudanese army maintains control over most of the remaining 13 states, including the capital, Khartoum, in the north, south, east, and central parts of the country.