A fire has damaged a big oil refinery some 71 kilometers north of Khartoum, sparking a blame game between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both sides accuse each other of initiating the attack, which has heightened tensions in the ongoing battle.

The Sudanese army claims the RSF set fire to the refinery in a “desperate attempt” to destroy the country’s oil riches after failing to seize control of them. The army argues that this is part of a larger effort to destabilize Sudan.

The RSF, on the other side, accuses the army for the disaster, claiming that the refinery was targeted by airstrikes using barrel bombs in the early morning. According to the RSF, this incident is just one of many “war crimes” committed by the army since the conflict began.

Witnesses reported witnessing heavy black smoke billowing from the refinery, which is one of Sudan’s largest and plays a critical part in the country’s energy supply.