Oil-rich Sudanese region becomes new focus of war between army and rival forces
3 min read
Control over Kordofan could determine the trajectory of Sudan’s ongoing war as both sides fight for strategic advantage.
Sudanese Oil-Rich Kordofan Becomes Pivotal Battleground in Civil War
Kordofan Emerges as Critical Warzone
The oil-rich Kordofan region has become the latest and most significant front in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. As the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensify their fight for dominance, control over this strategic region key to Sudan’s energy supply is becoming a game-changing objective.
Mass Civilian Casualties Draw Global Attention
Recent military offensives in Kordofan have resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths, drawing international condemnation. Airstrikes by the army on the towns of el Fula and Abu Zabad, including a school sheltering families, killed over 20 people, according to the UN. These attacks highlight the escalating violence and its dire human cost.
Strategic Importance of Oil and Location
Kordofan holds immense strategic value not just for Sudan, but also for landlocked South Sudan, whose oil exports rely on pipelines traversing the region. “Whoever controls Kordofan effectively controls the country’s oil supply,” said Amir Amin of Oasis Policy Advisory. Both warring sides are fully aware of this reality.
Army Pushes to Regain Territory
Since June, the Sudanese army has shifted its focus toward retaking Kordofan from the RSF, which had made notable advances, including recapturing the capital Khartoum. The military, led by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, sees control of this region as essential for a westward push into Darfur, the RSF’s birthplace.
RSF Eyes Strategic Momentum
Conversely, the RSF, led by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”), views Kordofan as a launchpad to regain momentum and potentially strike central Sudan again. Capturing this region would give them proximity to major cities and crucial infrastructure.
Ethnic Allegiances Deepen the Battle
The RSF’s strength in Kordofan is bolstered by local support, particularly from the Misseriya ethnic group. “They will be fighting to protect their own communities,” said Dr Suliman Baldo of the Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker. This community based support adds complexity and resilience to the RSF’s defensive lines.
Airstrikes Stir Local Resentment
Army airstrikes have sparked outrage among local populations. Targeting towns in West Kordofan has been viewed as a “counterproductive policy of collective punishment,” said Dr Baldo. Such strikes may be pushing civilians closer to RSF sympathies, creating long-term consequences for the army’s campaign.
RSF Threatens Oil Facilities in Retaliation
The RSF has warned of retaliation against oil facilities if airstrikes continue. Threats to attack Heglig oil fields near South Sudan’s border were issued following airstrikes in el Fula. “We will strike and shut down Heglig’s oil and kill the engineers,” warned RSF official Youssef Awadallah Aliyan.
UN Condemns Violence Against Civilians
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs condemned the airstrikes on civilian areas, stating that civilian buildings such as schools and shelters should never be targeted. The RSF has also faced accusations of atrocities, including mass killings and arson attacks in North Kordofan.
UNICEF Decries Civilian Casualties
UNICEF reported that over 450 civilians, including 37 children and two pregnant women, were killed in RSF led attacks in North Kordofan. “These attacks are an outrage,” the agency said, highlighting the horrifying disregard for human life in the conflict.
Mounting Concerns Over El-Obeid Offensive
There are growing fears that the RSF is preparing for an assault on el Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan. The nearby town of Umm Sumaima has already changed hands several times, acting as the last defensive barrier for the Sudan Armed Forces before the city.
Tactical Stakes in a Protracted War
Amir Amin warns that whichever force controls Umm Sumaima could tip the balance in the region. For the RSF, it opens a path to besiege army positions in el Obeid. For the army, a breakthrough could establish crucial supply lines to other Kordofan battle zones.
Kordofan’s Size and Symbolism
Covering approximately 390,000 square kilometers, Kordofan’s sheer size and resource wealth make it an indispensable prize in the war. While it’s uncertain whether victory in Kordofan will end the conflict, analysts agree it will bring a seismic shift in momentum
About The Author
