April 23, (THEWILL) – Over 150 people from various nations reached the safety of Saudi Arabia on Saturday, in the first announced evacuation of civilians from Sudan, where fighting between the army and paramilitaries entered a second week.
The fight has left hundreds dead and thousands wounded, while survivors cope with shortages of electricity and food.
Foreign nations have said they are preparing for the potential evacuation of thousands more of their nationals, even though Sudan’s main airport remains closed.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry announced the “safe arrival” of 91 of its citizens along with nationals from Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, India, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Canada and Burkina Faso.
The evacuation was done by the kingdom’s naval forces with the support of other branches of the army, the foreign ministry said. The evacuees were received by Saudi govt officials and soldiers.
Saudi authorities said diplomats and international officials were among those who arrived in the evacuation operation carried out by the Royal Saudi Navy with the support of various branches of the armed forces.
US President, Joe Biden, thanked the Kingdom, Djibouti and Ethiopia for facilitating the plan to get US personnel out of Khartoum.
“I thank Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia, which were critical to the success of our operation”, Biden said in a statement on Saturday, calling for a ceasefire to allow unhindered humanitarian access, and respect the will of the people of Sudan.
The Saudi ministry said in a statement: “The Kingdom worked to provide all the basic needs of foreign nationals in preparation for their departure to their countries.
“The first evacuation vessel from Sudan has arrived, carrying 50 (Saudi) citizens and a number of nationals from friendly countries”, the official Al-Ekhbariyah television said.
Among those evacuated, were 91 Saudi citizens and around 66 nationals from 12 other countries, including India, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, the Philipines, Canada and Burkina Faso, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The foreigners included diplomats and (government) officials.
Among those who arrived in Jeddah on Saturday, was the crew of a Saudi passenger plane that was hit by gunfire while preparing to take off from Khartoum at the start of the fighting on April 15, according to Al-Ekhbariya.
It was the first evacuation of civilians from Sudan since violence erupted there a week ago, the ministry said.
Earlier on Saturday, Sudan’s army said its chief had received calls from leaders of a number of nations to “facilitate and guarantee safety for evacuating citizens and diplomatic missions.”
More evacuations are likely to begin “in the coming hours”, the ministry said, adding that the US, Britain, France and China are planning to airlift their nationals out of Sudan.
Fighting broke out in Sudan on April 15 between forces loyal to the army chief and those of his deputy-turned-rival, who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The former allies seized power in a 2021 coup but later fell out. The conflict has so far left hundreds dead and thousands wounded.
