Recovering Al-Gaili Oil Refinery: Shaking Away Sadness
02 February, 2025
Port Sudan--Sudanow
Shams Eddin: RSF slaying a civilian in front of his family
Shams Eddin Mubarak Atyia, like an average Sudanese who nowadays spend more time within the family home, away from outside gathering with pals and dudes of his age, it was an ordinary day under war conditions. Stay at home was the motto. But that day it proved to be the fatal choice.
He was chatting with family members, a way of reassuring and confronting one another since the outbreak of the war and the restriction of movement for civilians, when a group of armed men from the Rapid Support Forces rebel broke open the door and entered the compound.
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan, the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has wreaked havoc in Al-Gaili area. Violence against civilians, intimidation and starvation have been its trademark. The rebel militias frequently restricted movement and ban river crossing for extended periods, frustrate provision of food supplies delivery. Additionally, they engaged in systematic looting, often with the help of informants, targeting traders and shop owners.
Shams El-din Mubarak Atyia, was owner of a local shop, selling petty items and food stuff, and as such was considered a wealthy man by the money-hungry RSF elements. They demanded all the family valuable belonging and money. Allowing armed men to take away money and belonging, and imparting with family belonging was the norm to avoid calamities, but when it comes to family members and to disgracing women the reaction is normally different.
The intruders not only wanted money, they were about to mistreat women within the family, Shames Eddin reaction was swift and angry. He would not buy it. The militias, as has been their trait since the outbreak of the war, shot him dead instantly and in front of his terrified family. The militias walked away leaving him soaked in his blood, dead.
"About 15 armed men stormed our home in the evening, demanding our brother to vacate the house and hand over all the money, they searched the house thoroughly, but my brother refused to leave, insisting that he is responsible for women and family and will not leave. Moments later, one of the rebels militia shot him and left him bleeding on the ground, sadly he died hours later. “Nawal Shams Eddin’s sister recalls, her voice filled with sadness and tragic memories.
This brutality was not isolated to Al-Gaili. It was an act of horror committed all over the country since the outbreak of the War in April 2023, by the RSF militia. They would argue that those were the unruly elements. But repeated planed and premeditated attacks and killing has led them to even be labeled by international organization and by the US State Department as “authors of genocide.”
- Was Shams Eddin the only victim?
Examples of such crimes and atrocities in all areas under the RSF are in excess.
In rural northern areas, particularly in Wawesi and its surroundings, the rebel militia forcefully evicted civilians and occupied their homes. Al-Gaili was a dear target for them. This is strategic location, not only for its position between the national capital and north and eastern Sudan where most of Sudan’s sea ports and exports outlet are located, but equally because this was a point where an oil refinery is located.
To avoid any headache of civilians presence, the militia detained hundreds of men from adjacent villages, subjecting them to server torture that often leading to death.
Months later when the oil refinery was recovered and the militias chased away, families shared heartbreaking stories of their missing loved ones. One such account comes from Raya Mohamed Birair.
"The RSF militias stormed our neighborhood and kidnapped five young men from our block. They were just ordinary civilians, with no political or military affiliation. The armed men ransacked our home, accusing my three sons Tarq, Hassan, Hisham Alburshra, of being intelligence operatives for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). They also took their cousins, Ali Omer and Othman Omer Al-Hediry, claiming that they were spies”.
“Up to until a few days ago we did not know where these young men were, dead or alive. We did not know. We had no idea where they were taken until SAF forces recovered Al-Gaili, until that moment we had almost lost any hope to see them once again. We lost all hope, totally. But lo! while following video footage released by the Army, saw them in videos of people rescued from the refinery area, receiving medical care. It was a jolly good surprise, like no surprise.” She related.
But she pointed, with sorrow, “our joy was overshadowed by grief. Tariq informed us that Ali Omer had died three days earlier from the severe beatings, starvation, and dehydration. “
Salma Briar Mohammed Briar, a mother, received news that her son Al-Moaz Hassan, the family's main provider, had been taken by the militia days earlier. Today, she knew that he is receiving treatment at Shendi Hospital. Tears streamed down her face as she is expressing her gratitude to the armed forces for “rescuing her sons from the hands of the ruthless enemy.”
Ali and Othman Al-Hediry, Hesham, Tariq, Hassan Al-Bushra, Mohammed Taha Al- Khalifa Al-Misbah and Al Moaz Hassan, are just a few of the innocent civilians who were detained. The number of people captured from Wawesi area alone reaches the hundreds some have died, but most remained missing.
The horrors did not spare Wawesi; many were killed at the hands of the RSF, either through direct violence or under killed on accusation of being SAF supporters in the area of Wawesi of which Al-Gaili.
- What is so particular about Al-Gaili?
Al-Gaili area was particularly important and significant for the country and therefor the RSF militias were doing everything they could to control it, and thus be able to strangle the whole country and control the lifeline of the national economy.
For Al-Gaili is the location of the main oil refinery. As such it attracted people to come live nearby, providing services and benefiting from the activities related to the working force in the oil industry.
It thus plays a significant role in the region by becoming a source of livelihood for many people, contributing to youth employment, and combating unemployment since its establishment in 1990.
It has served as a vital hub managing Sudan’s energy sector, producing 80% of the country's fuel with a production capacity of up to 100,000 barrels per day. The refinery used to cover the fuel needs of Sudanese citizens, providing gasoline, diesel, cooking gas, and industrial oils.
Located 70 kilometers north of Khartoum, it typically produced around 10,000 tons of diesel, 4,500 tons of gasoline, and 800,000 tons of cooking gas under normal conditions, making it a cornerstone in meeting 45% of Sudan's petroleum needs and providing job opportunities for families in Al-Gaili and Sudan as a whole.
But since the refinery's occupation, families living in the villages around it have suffered due to the production halt.
Al-Nawawi Ahmed Al-Mustafa, an employee at Al-Gaili Refinery, stated that since the outbreak of the war, they have been struggling to find jobs as their livelihoods were cut off due to the shutdown of Al-Gaili Refinery, the surrounding companies, and the destruction caused by the rebels.
Dr. Ismail Al-Hakim, a political activist and industrious articles contributor in the social media, has emphasized that Al-Gaili Refinery is a crucial economic and strategic center, serving not only the civilian industries but also contributing to national security.
Dr Hakim, journalist by profession, has strongly condemned the refinery's destruction, describing it as “an act of ultimate criminality and sabotage”. He added that the militia, having lost hope of maintaining control over the refinery after the SAF closing in on them, resorting to destroying the refinery installations and infrastructure, with the intent of plunging the country into severe economic crises. With the refinery's shutdown, vital sectors such as agriculture, industry, power generation, transportation, and bakeries will be severely impacted, inevitably worsening the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Al-Gaili Refinery and its surrounding industrial zone have been a fertile ground for companies and institutions that provide employment opportunities for the local population. In this regard, Hiba Khalafallah Al-Sheikh, an employee at a company in the industrial area of Garri, stated that Al-Gaili Refinery was a vital facility that provided jobs and a market for them. The industrial zone was significantly affected by the refinery’s operations. She explained that its establishment had created numerous job opportunities for young men and women in the area and that its destruction, along with the loss of the free market, was a severe blow to both the state and the citizens. The destruction of Al-Gaili Refinery is a massive economic loss for Sudan, as it used to produce petroleum products valued at $5.8 million per day.
- Recovery of the refinery
At dawn on January 23, 2025, residents felt the ground shaking beneath their feet. It was the vibration of heavy machinery and thundering of armed vehicles closing in on the RSF militias from multiple directions, driving fear and panic into the population living there. There was fear that this would be just another episode of brutal killings and massacres. However, after intense battles, they felt reassured upon seeing the familiar Sudan army military fatigue.
Eyewitnesses from the Al-Gaili Southern area reported seeing army forces searching houses and capturing rebels hiding within them. They expressed relief upon the army’s entry into the area. Other witnesses stated that many rebel armed men were seen fleeing away in panic and disorder, abandoning their weapons as soon as the army entered.
The military forces spread across Dairi South, while a witness from Sheikh Abdel Qadir in Wawesi confirmed that the area was experiencing cautious calm with no sign of rebel forces. Meanwhile, the army continued its search for collaborators and rebels hiding in homes, arresting them.
- Sabotage of the Refinery
In the early morning hours, panic spread among residents as thick smoke covered the entire area. It became clear that the source was the region’s essential fuel center, Al-Gaili Refinery, which had been destroyed. Military statements confirmed that this was a direct attack by the Rapid Support Forces, who targeted the vital facility after losing hope of maintaining control over it and its resources. Known also as the Khartoum Refineries, Al-Gaili was the sole refinery capable of fulfilling Sudan’s fuel needs, ensuring the country’s self-sufficiency in petroleum products.
Both the Foreign Minister and the official spokesperson denounced the heinous act committed by the rebel forces, targeting the country’s key infrastructure, with no condemnation from international organizations, including the UN, or western governments.
These traumatic memories continue to haunt residents in all areas that fell under the control of the ruthless enemy. A fog of uncertainty looms, and devastation spreads like cancer. Many Sudanese remain unsure whether to rejoice or grieve over the current situation or the loss of hope for their captive loved ones. The scene in Al-Gaili is a mix of mourning and celebration some wail in sorrow upon hearing of a captive’s death, which may have perished months ago at the hands of the rebels, while others chant "Allah Akbar" in relief at the return of another, barely clinging to life. This was the ambiance of a cry here, a cheer there. One thing was sure, though, this was the end of the chapter of horror and bloodshed in Al-Gaili area, and quite possible this is a new page in a chapter of refurbishment, rehabilitation and hopefully a lasting peace not only for Shams Eddin and his family but the entire nation.