A senior military source has confirmed that three South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) soldiers were killed on Tuesday after a drone strike launched by the Sudanese army hit the Heglig area.
According to the source, the soldiers were part of a South Sudanese contingent deployed to secure the Heglig oil field under a coordinated security arrangement agreed upon by the rival parties in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
The Government of South Sudan has formally notified authorities in Port Sudan about the incident and clarified the mandate of its forces operating in the oil-producing zone.
The source further revealed that South Sudan has updated Port Sudan on the ongoing withdrawal of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from the vicinity of the Heglig oil field.
Once the pullout is completed, SSPDF units will take full charge of securing and protecting the strategic oil installations.
Meanwhile, a high-level South Sudanese security delegation is expected to travel to Port Sudan in the coming days for consultations with Sudanese authorities.
The discussions will focus on strengthening security coordination, reviewing developments in Heglig, and arranging the transfer of Sudanese Armed Forces officers and soldiers back into Sudan.
The latest developments highlight South Sudan’s expanding role in supporting regional stability, managing cross-border security concerns, and helping prevent further escalation around the vital Heglig oil zone.
