Khartoum: Sudanese officials claim that 400 South Sudan troops were killed during the battle for the Heglig, an oil-producing area claimed by both countries.
South Sudan army said on Sunday it had completed its pull-out from an oil field seized from Sudan, ending a deadly standoff which forced thousands of civilians to flee.
South Sudanese officials said the withdrawal from Heglig had been ordered to avert a return to all-out war, but they accused Khartoum of air strikes against the departing troops.
The South seized Sudan’s most important oil field Heglig on April 10, claiming Khartoum was using it as a base to attack the South’s oil-producing Unity State.
Heglig is internationally regarded as part of Sudan, although South Sudan disputes it.
The 10-day occupation by the world’s newest nation met widespread criticism, including from UN chief Ban Ki-moon, who called it illegal. Foreign powers have also called for an end to Sudan’s cross-border air raids.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Friday announced his forces would carry out “an orderly withdrawal” from Heglig. The SPLA “completed its withdrawal from Heglig yesterday,” Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) spokesman Philip Aguer told AFP on Sunday.
But he charged that Khartoum’s air force “continued bombing on the night of the (Friday April) 20th and in the morning of the 21st”.
On Friday Sudan said its soldiers had “liberated” the oil field by force, despite Kiir’s earlier announcement of a pull-out.
The Heglig violence was the worst since South Sudan won independence in July after a 1983-2005 civil war in which about two million people died.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription