Arop Jonchol
Reported by Emmanuel Garjiek
A drone attack, allegedly carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), struck key fuel storage facilities handling South Sudanese crude in Port Sudan, Sudan’s temporary administrative capital, on Tuesday, leading to massive explosions and fires, witnesses and officials reported.
The incident happened shortly after South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum had announced the arrival of its crude oil at Port Sudan’s marine terminal, marking the first shipment in months following disruptions caused by Sudan’s ongoing conflict between the army and the RSF. The oil was slated for export to international markets.
South Sudan, possessing one of the largest crude reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, depends on Sudanese pipelines and infrastructure to transport its oil to Port Sudan. With oil sales contributing over 90% of South Sudan’s revenue, this export route is crucial to the nation’s economy.
The strike occurred a day after drones hit Osman Digna air base and Port Sudan International Airport, causing damage to a warehouse and temporarily halting flights.
Yehya Mohammed Osman, head of media and culture at Sudan’s embassy in Juba, told Radio Tamazuj that RSF drones targeted the depots holding South Sudan’s crude. “The attacks began Monday and continued into Tuesday, also affecting Port Sudan International Airport and parts of the port,” he stated.
He cautioned that these strikes were disrupting oil exports and partially crippling shipments. “Crude oil exportation depends on fuel and stable electricity, so this situation poses a significant threat to South Sudan’s economy, especially given recent optimism about resuming exports,” he added.
Eyewitnesses described powerful explosions and rising smoke, with online videos depicting substantial damage.
Sudan’s Energy and Oil Minister, Mohi Eddin Naim Mohamed Saeed, visited the site and condemned the attack as a “terrorist act” intended to destroy essential infrastructure. Fire crews were attempting to contain the blaze, which officials said started in a gasoline storage area and spread to nearby tanks.
No immediate casualties were reported, according to the minister and statements from the Red Sea State Police media unit. Authorities said efforts were underway to prevent broader environmental and humanitarian consequences.
Minister Saeed accused the RSF—labeled a militia by Sudan’s government—of deliberately targeting civilian facilities to disrupt daily life.
RSF representatives were not immediately available for comment.
Meanwhile, South Sudanese civil society activist Edmund Yakani called on Juba’s government to provide updates on the attack, stressing that the incident could significantly impact crude oil shipments. “The people of South Sudan deserve to be informed about what happened to the crude oil targeted in Port Sudan,” he urged.
South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum has yet to issue an official statement regarding the strike.
