The South Sudanese government has confirmed a large-scale withdrawal of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) personnel into its territory following clashes with the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) near the strategic Heglig oilfields.

The RSF captured Heglig, Sudan’s largest oilfield, on Monday as the paramilitary group continued to gain ground against SAF in the oil-rich southern region.

South Sudanese state television aired footage showing soldiers from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) alongside RSF fighters in Heglig, as well as SAF troops retreating into South Sudan after the facility’s takeover.

Heglig, located along the border between Sudan’s West Kordofan state and South Sudan, hosts some of Sudan’s most critical oil infrastructure, including around 75 wells, storage tanks, and processing stations. The field produces between 80,000 and 100,000 barrels per day, and a pipeline to Port Sudan makes Heglig vital for both countries’ oil exports. Losing control of the field is a major blow to Sudan’s revenue, including transit fees for South Sudanese oil. Heglig is also a key point on the 1,600-kilometre Greater Nile Oil Pipeline that carries crude from South Sudan’s Unity oilfield to Port Sudan.

Speaking in Juba on Thursday, South Sudan’s Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny said SAF units, commanded by Brigadier Tariq Mokhtar, had withdrawn into Unity State. A total of 1,650 non-commissioned officers and 60 officers handed over their weapons to the SSPDF and surrendered, with arrangements underway for their safe return to Sudan.

Ateny confirmed that South Sudan has facilitated a tripartite security agreement between the SSPDF, SAF, and RSF. Under the deal, the SSPDF now has full responsibility for securing the Heglig oil zone, while RSF forces have pulled back to the northern part of the oilfield.

“They have to leave the oil field. The conflict was mainly because each party wanted control over the oil field,” Ateny explained.

He added that South Sudan is mediating between the two Sudanese factions to ensure the uninterrupted flow of oil. “Our forces are friendly to both sides and are not taking sides in the fight. We are mediating to prevent damage to the oil infrastructure,” Ateny said.

President Salva Kiir, who serves as guarantor of the agreement, has urged both sides to adhere to the deal and avoid further clashes near Heglig. Ateny noted that the oilfield infrastructure remains intact and production continues normally.

Despite the agreement, tensions remain high. The SSPDF reported that a drone strike by Sudanese forces on Tuesday killed seven South Sudanese soldiers at the Heglig oilfield.