The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have accused each other of attacking the Khartoum refinery in Al-Jaili, a strategic facility that has become the latest flashpoint in the country’s ongoing conflict.
The army claims that the RSF, led by commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, deliberately set fire to the refinery in a desperate attempt to destroy the country’s infrastructure. In a post on X, the army labeled the RSF as a “terrorist militia” that has resorted to destructive tactics after failing to achieve its goals.
On the other hand, the RSF alleges that the army launched airstrikes on the refinery, resulting in its destruction. The RSF has condemned the attack as a “full-fledged war crime”.
This latest incident is part of a larger conflict that has ravaged Sudan for almost two years.
The war broke out in April 2023 in the capital Khartoum and has led to widespread hunger, with half of the population struggling to access food.
The conflict has also resulted in the world’s largest internal displacement crisis, with millions forced to flee their homes.
The army and the RSF, which once allied to lead a coup in 2021, have been at odds over plans to integrate their forces.
Earlier this month, the army and its allies recaptured the strategic city of Wad Madani from the RSF, a move that could potentially shift the balance of power in the conflict.
However, with tensions running high and accusations flying back and forth, a peaceful resolution to the crisis seems increasingly elusive.
