Sudan’s government has blamed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for a deadly attack on the Heglig oil fields, a key route for exporting South Sudanese crude. The assault, part of the two-year civil war, reportedly injured and killed several civilian workers, though precise numbers remain unclear.

Authorities warned that operations at Heglig may be halted and personnel evacuated to protect lives. The region, which has been disputed with South Sudan in the past, is essential for pipelines transporting crude to Red Sea ports for global markets.

While Sudan produces some oil itself, its significance comes from facilitating South Sudan’s exports. In July, Sudan handled an estimated 3.8 million barrels of its neighbor’s crude.

The RSF, under Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, recently established a rival government in Nyala, Darfur, challenging the national military and raising concerns of a potential split similar to Libya.

The civil war has already claimed at least 150,000 lives, with millions displaced, marking the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. The latest attack jeopardizes both local staff and international companies relying on Heglig for South Sudanese oil exports.