An armed group in Sudan’s West Kordofan state identifying itself as the Sudanese People's Front claimed responsibility for the recent attack on Kanar oil field in the state.

At least eight Sudanese soldiers from the oil protection unit were killed during the fighting and three oil workers were kidnapped, according the group. 

The ringleader, Fadul Issa nicknamed ‘Abu Kian’, told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that his group was behind the Kanar attack on Friday, claiming they seized the oil field following fierce fighting with the government forces stationed at the oil fields on Tuesday.

He explained his group was aggrieved by the government’s refusal to employ 'sons and daughters' of West Kordofan in the oil sector as well as the use of oil money to buy weaponry for killing citizens.

Abu Kian admitted they kidnapped three oil workers, two Chinese and one Algerian. “The engineers were taken to ensure their safety and they are in good health.   We are in consultations with the Chinese government to release them,” he said.

“I also call on the Chinese authorities to evacuate their staffs who are working with the Kanar oil fields" as soon as possible,” the militant leader emphasized.

The oil field in West Kordofan state is a strategic target for the group, so the local residents should keep themselves away from this troubled area, according to the group. 

File photo