Spain this Sunday began an operation to remove Spanish, European and South American citizens from Sudan, the same day other countries announced operations to repatriate people stranded in that country as a result of last week’s clashes.
Six Spanish army planes flew to Djibouti to evacuate about 80 people, including Spaniards, Europeans and South Americans, and “wait for a safe place to land and launch the operation,” according to information from Spanish diplomatic sources to the EFE- desk.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles told EFE that “the planes are prepared in such a way that, once the ceasefire is respected, this operation can be carried out”, which she says is not easy “because Sudan’s airport is closed is” and the withdrawal will have to be made from a nearby airfield and by road.
Besides Spain, there are several countries that carry out repatriation operations.
Libyan authorities today completed the seaborne withdrawal of nearly 100 civilians stranded in Sudan following last week’s clashes, which have left at least 400 dead and more than 3,500 injured.
Libyan ambassador to Khartoum, Fawzi Boumrez, announced on Saturday the withdrawal of 83 civilians and their families through Port Sudan (northeast), located 600 kilometers from the capital and on the shores of the Red Sea, from where they will be transferred to the Saudi city of Jeddah before returning to his country.
Italy has announced that the repatriation of 140 citizens may take place today. According to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, “they were contacted during the night, all are well and invited to go to the embassy in Khartoum”, from where an attempted withdrawal will be made.
The British government today said it would withdraw diplomatic personnel from Sudan “as soon as possible” and advised British stranded in that country to report their presence to the Foreign Office and to remain in a safe place.
The French foreign minister announced a “rapid withdrawal operation” of French citizens and diplomatic personnel, which could support other European citizens and nationals of “allied partner countries”.
The Turkish embassy in Sudan said the process of evacuating its citizens would also begin today, taking into account the chaotic situation currently experienced in the capital, Khartoum, and the resumption of clashes.
US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that the withdrawal of employees from the US Embassy in Sudan has been completed, the Associated Press news agency (AP) reports.
Saudis and citizens of other countries evacuated from Sudan also arrived this Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s port city, on the day the army chief admitted he had no control over Khartoum International Airport, leading the evacuation operations were compromised.
At least 413 civilians have been killed and 3,551 injured since the start of the conflict in Sudan, according to the most recent World Health Organization (WHO) count.
The clashes began a week ago between the armed forces, commanded by the country’s de facto leader since the October 2021 coup, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF, in its acronym). . in English), under General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti”.
Pope Francis calls for “dialogue” in light of the “serious” situation
Pope Francis this Sunday called for “dialogue” in light of the “serious” situation in Sudan, where deadly fighting between the army and paramilitaries has continued for more than a week.
“Unfortunately, the situation in Sudan remains serious. Therefore, I reiterate my call to end the violence as soon as possible and to return to the path of dialogue.”said Francis during the traditional Sunday public prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
“I invite everyone to pray for our Sudanese brothers and sisters”strengthens.
Since April 15, the two generals who have been in power since the 2021 coup have unleashed a brutal war.
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced to other states in Sudan or across the border to Chad and Egypt.
Source: DN
