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66 Indians evacuated from conflict-hit Sudan to Saudi

April 23, 2023
Bharat Times

Sudan’s army and a paramilitary force are fighting

New Delhi:

Some Indian nationals are among 66 nationals from 12 countries who have been brought to Saudi Arabia from conflict-torn Sudan. A ship carrying Saudi nationals and other civilians arrived in Jeddah today, the first civilian evacuation announced since the start of the fighting.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Tuesday regarding the evacuation of Indians from Sudan.

“In implementation of the Kingdom’s leadership’s directives, we are pleased to announce the safe arrival of evacuated Saudi citizens from Sudan and a number of citizens of brotherhood and friendly countries, including diplomats and international officials,” the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted. ,

Those who have reached Jeddah include the crew of a Saudi passenger plane that came under fire on April 15 as it was preparing to take off from Khartoum at the start of the fighting, Al-Ekhbariya news agency reported. I went.

According to the broadcaster, a convoy of vehicles escorted the evacuees to Port Sudan, from where they boarded ships to Jeddah.

Officers and soldiers received the evacuees, who distributed sweets on the occasion of Eid, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan.

Hundreds of people have been killed in fighting between forces loyal to Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy rival Mohamed Hamdan Dagallo, who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF).

The former allies seized power in a 2021 coup but were later ousted in a bitter power struggle. The clashes – most of which have taken place in the capital Khartoum – have left hundreds dead and thousands injured.

According to witnesses, heavy gunfire, loud explosions and the roar of fighter jets were heard in several parts of the capital this morning.

with inputs from afp