A gang set fire to the largest crude oil production well in the Zarga Um Hadeed oil fields in Sudan’s East Darfur State at the weekend resulting in the complete burning of the well.

The commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in East Darfur, Major Hamdan Al-Ajib, told Radio Tamazuj that the fire was an act of sabotage and that a gang ignited the fire on Saturday in the largest oil well in the region.

“Our forces managed to extinguish the fires in the field and arrested one member of the gang that set the fire,” he said. “Upon interrogation, he confessed to the crime and the search for the remaining suspects is ongoing.”

Maj. Al-Ajib promised the citizens in the area that there would be no recurrence of such an incident and reassured them that the RSF was prepared to protect the oil fields.

There are more than 30 oil fields in East Darfur State and West Kordofan State, the most famous being the Zarga Um Hadeed field which produces about 1,000 barrels per day.

Oil production was halted for three months after fighting occurred in the Heglig field between the RSF and the Army.

The army and RSF often exchange accusations of hindering oil production and export in Sudan.

Crimes of sabotaging government and productive institutions have spread in the states of Darfur. Just four days ago, a group sabotaged power lines in the city of Geneina.

In March, Sudan declared a force majeure on oil exports, saying it's no longer receiving supplies from neighbouring South Sudan following a "major rupture" in a pipeline that's in a war zone.

East Darfur is under control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). By mid-December 2023, the RSF had secured control of four of five Darfur states, including strategic cities and supply routes.

The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been engaged in a war since April 2023 that has resulted in 15,000 deaths and more than 8 million displaced and refugees, according to the UN.

Since the start of the civil war, thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and other vital facilities have been destroyed, plunging the country into a severe humanitarian crisis, and creating the world’s largest displacement crisis.