Fighting in Sudan: First foreigners brought to safety

In Sudan, the evacuation of foreign nationals has begun. More than 150 people were taken to Saudi Arabia. It is unclear when the first Germans will be taken out of the embattled country.

In the fiercely contested African state of Sudan, some countries have begun evacuating their own nationals and other foreigners. Saudi Arabia said it had taken 157 Saudis and people of other nationalities out of the country. Television pictures showed people on a warship. It is not yet known what nationality they have. Kuwait said some of its citizens had arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jordan said it had started evacuating 300 people.

A foreign diplomat said some embassy staff in Sudan’s capital Khartoum are hoping to be flown out of the country in the coming days. The US embassy warned US citizens that traveling in vehicle convoys from Khartoum is at their own risk.

Berlin crisis team meets

The crisis team at the Federal Foreign Office met in Berlin on the situation in Sudan. A spokesman said the meeting was chaired jointly by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Defense Minister Pistorius. Neither the spokesman nor his colleagues from the Ministry of Defense gave any information about a possibly imminent evacuation of German citizens from Sudan.

Spain sends planes

According to media reports, Spain is using a total of six aircraft to evacuate its citizens and members of other nations from the embattled Sudan. Four machines have already flown to Sudan’s neighboring country Djibouti, and two more are to follow, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said, according to the Europa Press news agency.

The Sudanese army previously said it would provide safe routes for the evacuation of US, UK, French and Chinese nationals. The rival forces of the paramilitary militia RSF pledged to allow evacuations and to keep all airports partially open. However, the international airport in Khartoum is the scene of battles. It is also unclear whether the RSF has control over the airports.

Hundreds dead from fighting

According to the World Health Organization, more than 400 people have been killed in the fighting between the Sudanese military and the influential paramilitary group RSF. The conflicting parties announced on Friday that they had agreed on a ceasefire. Still, explosions and shots could be heard again.

According to observers, the trigger for the fighting was a dispute over the details of the RSF’s incorporation into the military as part of the transition to a civilian government in Sudan. The military staged a coup in October 2021 and has ruled the country, which is one of the poorest in the world, ever since.