Fighting between Sudan’s military forces and the rebel Rapid Support Force (RSF) has led to significant damage to the country’s largest oil refinery, the al-Jaili facility, located just 60 kilometers north of Khartoum. Satellite images released on January 25, 2025, show massive fires engulfing the refinery complex, with thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. The fire, which started on January 25, appears to be a result of escalating clashes, and has drawn international concern due to the severe economic and environmental consequences for Sudan and the broader region.
The al-Jaili refinery, capable of processing 100,000 barrels of oil per day, has been a key point of contention between the Sudanese military and the RSF since the latter took control of the facility in April 2023. Despite previous attacks, the refinery had remained operational until the recent violence. The RSF had been guarding the facility and reportedly surrounded it with landmines to deter military advances.
While Sudan’s military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has accused the RSF of deliberately setting the refinery on fire, the RSF has denied these claims. Instead, the RSF alleges that Sudanese military aircraft dropped barrel bombs on the facility, completely destroying it. There is no independent verification of these accusations, and both sides continue to dispute responsibility for the fires.
The destruction of the refinery has significant implications. If the facility is irreparably damaged, Sudan will be forced to rely on expensive fuel imports, further exacerbating the country’s already dire economic situation. The impact will also be felt in neighboring South Sudan, which relies on Sudan’s refining capacity for its fuel supply, after the country lost the majority of its oil reserves following its 2011 independence.
The al-Jaili refinery attack comes amid a broader context of widespread violence and destabilization in Sudan. The civil war, which began in April 2023, has already claimed the lives of more than 28,000 people and displaced millions. The conflict is deeply rooted in power struggles between the Sudanese military and the RSF, both of which were formerly allied during the coup of 2021 but have since turned on each other.
The RSF, originally formed from the Janjaweed militia responsible for atrocities in Darfur in the early 2000s, has faced accusations of committing similar human rights violations during the current conflict. The Sudanese military is also under international scrutiny for its attacks on civilian infrastructure, including schools, markets, and hospitals.
The international community, including the United Nations, has expressed grave concern over the continued fighting, with Secretary-General António Guterres urging all parties to refrain from actions that could further destabilize the region. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on both military leaders over their actions, which have included targeted strikes on civilian areas and the use of food deprivation as a tactic of war.
As the conflict shows no signs of abating, the destruction of key infrastructure like the al-Jaili refinery highlights the severe consequences of Sudan’s ongoing civil war, not only for the country itself but for the wider region. With no clear end in sight, the international community continues to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue. However, despite repeated mediation efforts, the conflict shows little sign of resolution.
Image by McRonny (pixabay.com)
