Civil war in Sudan destroys the largest oil refinery, show satellite images

Civil war in Sudan destroys the largest oil refinery, show satellite images

The fights around the largest oil refinerie Sudans set fire to the huge complex. This is shown by satellite data that was analyzed by the Associated Press (AP) news agency on Saturday. Thick, black clouds of smoke rise over the capital Khartum.

Chapter 1: Control over the refinery

troops that are the Sudanese military under the command of General Abdel-Fattah Burhan Loyal claim to have brought the refinery that belongs to the Sudanese government and the State China National Petroleum Corporation. This facility represents a long-sought price for the military in Citizens (Rsf) dar.

Chapter 2: International efforts and their failure

International attempts at mediation and pressure tactics, including a Assessment of the USA could not stop the fights.

Chapter 3: The location in the oil refinery

The refinery in Al-Jaili is located about 60 kilometers north of Khartum and was previously the destination of attacks. The RSF has control over the system since April 2023 and have secured their surroundings with minefields in order to slow down possible attacks. Nevertheless, the refinery remained largely intact until Thursday, when an attack was on fire.

Chapter 4: Satellite images show the extent of the destruction

Satellite images, which were recorded by Planet Labs PBC for the AP on Friday, show large areas of the refinery on fire. The recordings that emerged shortly after 12:00 GMT show flames rising in several areas. The oil tanks of the system were charred and covered with soot.

Chapter 5: Health effects of the smoke

thick, black clouds of smoke moved towards Khartum, worn by the wind. Exposure to this smoke can tighten breathing problems and increase the risk of cancer.

Chapter 6: Mutual accusations between the military and RSF

In a declaration published on Thursday, the Sudanese military accused the RSF that the fire in the refinery deliberately laid. The explanation said that this "hate -tongue act" showed the extent of crime and decadence of this militia and reinforces the determination of pursuing it everywhere until each piece of the country is freed from its garbage.

on the other hand, the RSF claimed that Sudanese military aircraft had "fass bombs" dropped to the facility, which had been "completely destroyed". However, both sides have not presented any evidence of their mutual accusations.

chapter 7: reactions and the economic consequences

China, Sudan's largest trading partner before the war, has not yet officially recognized the fire in the refinery. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to a request for comment. The country entered the Sudanese oil industry after Chevron left the region in 1992 due to violence against oil workers. South Sudan, who split off from Sudan in 2011, took 75% of the previously Sudanese oil reserves.

Chapter 8: Refugee crisis and humanitarian situation

The United Nations reported that more than 28,000 people were killed by the fights between the RSF and the Sudanese military. Millions were forced to leave their homeland and many families fight for survival by eating grass while a famine grasps parts of the country.

The UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed great concern about the escalating fights in Sudan on Friday and warned of the massive economic and environmental consequences for the region.

"The destruction of the refinery would force the Sudanese population to use more expensive oil imports," warned Timothy Liptrot in May 2024 in an analysis for the small arms survey.