All-out war averted as South Sudan withdraws from disputed region The threat of all-out war between Sudan and its new southern neighour has been likely averted after troops from South Sudan began withdrawing from the Heglig oil region. Sudan's defence minister claims his forces have "liberated" the disputed area. The Heglig region was seized last week as part of a wider territorial row between the two countries. The south split away from the rest of Sudan last year after a long civil war. Disputes continue over the sharing of oil wealth; most of the oil fields are situated in the south. Fighting has escalated recently as both parties aim to decide the exact position of the shared border. The row has already halted nearly all the oil production that underpins both economies. As its forces left, South Sudan blamed ariel bombardment for a recent fire at the central processing facility at Heglig. More about: Border dispute, Omar al-Bashir, South Sudan, Sudan