KHARTOUM, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Thursday said it had restored control of an oilfield in West Kordofan State, electronic news portal Sudan Tribune reported.

"The army has managed to regain control of Balila airport and the oilfield and drove the RSF (paramilitary Rapid Support Forces) out of the two sites," Sudan Tribune quoted the SAF's spokesman Nabil Abdalla as saying.

On Oct. 30, the RSF said it had taken control of the Balila oilfield and its affiliated airport, after battles with the SAF.

Abdalla accused the RSF of committing widespread sabotage in the airport and looting the headquarters of some oil companies operating at the site.

The Balila oilfield lies some 55 km southwest of Al-Fula, the capital city of West Kordofan State in western Sudan.

Before the war broke out between the SAF and the RSF, the oilfield was producing about 22,000 barrels a day, but the production declined due to the armed confrontations.

Deadly clashes have been going on between the SAF and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, killing up to 9,000 people, forcing more than 5.6 million out of their homes and leaving 25 million in need of aid, said UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths in a statement on Oct. 15. Enditem

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