Countries evacuate citizens from Sudan
4 Min Read
Turkey has started evacuation operations via the southern city of Wad Medani however evacuation came to a halt when explosions targeted areas bordering the designated assembly point.
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Smoke is seen in Khartoum, Sudan, April 22, 2023 (AP)
Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, France, Britain, and the US have launched operations to evacuate their citizens from Sudan which has entered its second week of the conflict: with clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces burgeoning all across the country.
Lebanon has reportedly evacuated 60 of its citizens from Sudan through the sea route in an operation organized by the Lebanese embassy in Sudan, the caretaker government announced in a statement.
Similarly, Turkey has started evacuation operations via the southern city of Wad Medani however evacuation came to a halt when explosions targeted areas bordering the designated assembly point, the Turkish embassy in Khartoum announced.
The Egyptian Ambassador in Sudan, Ahmad Abu Zayd, called on all citizens to relocate to the proximity of the capital where from they would be evacuated by specialized Egyptian units. The Ambassador also revealed that one of the staff members of the Egyptian embassy was injured in the crossfire.
Read more: 'Near-total' internet crash in Sudan as fighting continues: Watchdog
The French foreign ministry also announced that the authorities have kicked off a "rapid evacuation operation" to assist French citizens and diplomats: they also noted that citizens from allied partner countries would also be offered assistance. It is estimated that around 250 French citizens live in Sudan, AFP reported. It was also reported earlier today by Sputnik that a French national was injured in the crossfire during the evacuation of French diplomats.
It was also announced by the British Foreign Secretary that the UK has successfully evacuated its diplomatic staff from Khartoum. British PM Rishi Sunak praised the British armed forces' efforts in carrying out "a complex and rapid" military operation to evacuate British nationals from Sudan.
Read more: Sweden to land troops in Sudan to 'aid nationals evacuation efforts'
Additionally earlier today, President Joe Biden announced that the United States military evacuated American embassy staff stranded in Khartoum.
"I am proud of the extraordinary commitment of our Embassy staff, who performed their duties with courage and professionalism and embodied America's friendship and connection with the people of Sudan," Biden said.
Washington had reportedly employed 100 special operations soldiers and three CH-47 Chinook helicopters to conduct the evacuation operation, US Lieutenant General Douglass Sims revealed.
On his part, Under Secretary of State John Bass said that while American diplomats had been evacuated from Sudan in the operation, it is unlikely that Washington will evacuate US citizens in the coming days.
"We don't foresee coordinating a US government evacuation for our fellow citizens in Sudan at this time or in the coming days," Bass was quoted saying.
Read more: Sudan extends closure of airspace until April 30
Earlier today, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan discussed the efforts needed to top the violence in Sudan, underlining the importance of protecting the civilians and residents, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
This comes after fighting in Sudan's capital entered a second week Saturday as crackling gunfire shattered the temporary 72-hour truce, marking the latest battles between forces of rival generals that have already left hundreds dead and thousands wounded.
On Saturday morning, bursts of gunfire resumed after the heavy explosions that had previously rocked the city in recent days had calmed down overnight.
Read more: What is happening in Sudan?
