Second Battle of Heglig

The Second Battle of Heglig was an armed confrontation of the 2012 South Sudan-Sudan border conflict that broke out on 10 April 2012.

Second Battle of Heglig
Part of the Heglig Crisis
Date10–20 April 2012
Location
Heglig, Sudan
9.999444°N 29.398611°E / 9.999444; 29.398611
Result Sudan recapture Heglig
Belligerents
South Sudan Sudan
Commanders and leaders
Salva Kiir Omar al-Bashir
Strength
unknown 1,000 soldiers[1]
Second Battle of Heglig is located in Sudan
Second Battle of Heglig
Heglig within Sudan.

Conflict

After claiming that Sudan had been harassing its forces from the air and the use of artillery, South Sudan ordered its forces to attack the Sudanese army in the Heglig area in retaliation.[2]

The Sudan People's Liberation Army launched an offensive northwards, claiming they were chasing retreating Sudanese army units that had attacked South Sudanese territory. The forces from Sudan held defensive positions in and around Heglig and clashes ensued when the South Sudanese army reached the area and engaged them.[3]

After a day of fierce clashes, Sudan admitted that they had been defeated by the South's armed forces despite having put up stiff resistance against "Huge, well equipped forces" from South Sudan.[4]

South Sudanese forces began reinforcing their positions in Heglig on 13 April, whilst Sudan continued to mobilise its own forces. According to the South Sudanese government, the frontlines had remained static during the day.[5] Sudanese forces claimed to be advancing on Heglig and that the situation would be dealt with "within hours."[6] A spokesman of the Sudanese government said that its army was on the outskirts of Heglig, while South Sudan's government said that it would defend themselves if attacked. The Sudanese government spokesman also added that South Sudan failed to control "all of South Kordofan state."[7]

Sudanese warplanes bombed Heglig on 15 April, with Southern officials accusing the North of "bombing the central processing facility to rubble". Sudan strongly denied the claims.[8]

On 20 April 2012 the Sudanese armed forces entered Heglig and controlled the oil field The Sudanese army claimed to have killed over 1,000 South Sudanese soldiers at Heglig.[9] The death toll however is impossible to verify but an AFP correspondent in Heglig said the putrid bodies of dead South Sudanese lay beneath trees scattered about the area. He said the number of bodies was so large they were "uncountable". He also said, the corpses bore the South Sudanese flag on their uniforms. Earlier in the occupation one Southern soldier in Bentiu, capital of the South's Unity state, said: "There are so many bodies at the front line, so many dead" that it is impossible to bury them or bring them back. South Sudan denied these claims .

See also

References
  1. Moore, Solomon (15 April 2012). "Sudan, South Move Troops to Border". The Wall Street Journal.
  2. "Sudan says South Sudan controls largest oil field". BBC News. 10 April 2012.
  3. Laessing, Ulf (10 April 2012). "UPDATE 1-S. Sudan says it repulsed attack by Sudan in oil area". Reuters.
  4. "International News | World News - ABC News". ABC News. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  5. "South Sudan Reinforces Positions Around Disputed Oil Town". VOA. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  6. "Sudan troops 'advance on Heglig oil field'". BBC News. 13 April 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  7. "Sudanese forces advance on key oil town". Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  8. Sudanese war planes bombard Bentlu Miami Herald
  9. Hindustan Times. "Over 1,000 S. Sudanese killed at Heglig: commander - Hindustan Times". hindustantimes.com/. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2014.

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