Sudan crisis increased concern, all countries engaged in evacuating their people; running special campaign

The struggle for power continues in Sudan, Africa’s third largest country. Amidst all this, the US military on Sunday pulled out the embassy officials from Sudan. Apart from this, the governments of many other countries are also busy evacuating their diplomatic employees and citizens trapped in the capital. Meanwhile, fighting has intensified in Omdurman, a city located near the Nile River from Sudan’s capital Khatoum. The violence occurred despite a declared ceasefire with a three- day holiday on Eid- ul- Fitr.

Heavy gunfire and explosions

Amin al- Tayed, who lives in a building near the state television headquarters in Omdurman, said: “We have not seen such a ceasefire.” He said there was heavy firing and the city was rocked by explosions. Thick black smoke hung over the airport in Khartoum. The paramilitary claimed the army carried out airstrikes in Kafouri, north of Khartoum, amid fighting with Sudanese military forces. At present, the army has not commented on this. US Special Forces airlifted 70 US embassy staff from Khartoum to an undisclosed location in Ethiopia early Sunday, despite a halt to rescue operations after a week of bloody fighting. However, US officials said it was still too dangerous for the government to carry out a coordinated mass evacuation of civilians.

Campaigns are being run by all countries

Other countries are also struggling to evacuate their citizens and diplomats. France, Greece and other European countries said on Sunday they were launching evacuation operations for some citizens of allied countries as well as embassy staff and citizens. French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anne- Claire Legendre said France was carrying out the operation with the help of European partners. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said the country has sent aircraft and special forces to Egypt in preparation for the evacuation of 120 Greek and Cypriot citizens from Khartoum. He said most of the people had taken refuge in a church in Khartoum. The Netherlands has also sent two planes to Jordan. Italy has sent its military aircraft to Djibouti to evacuate 140 of its citizens from Sudan.

Airport destroyed, road not even safe

Clashes between Sudan’s military forces and the powerful paramilitary ‘Rapid Support Force’ targeted the country’s main international airport. It grounded flights, damaged several aircraft and destroyed at least one runway. Flights are also not operating from other airports of the country. Evacuation by land route is also dangerous due to the conflict. Khartoum, the Red Sea port is about 840 kilometers from Sudan. However, amidst all the dangers, some countries are conducting evacuation operations. Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that the country successfully evacuated 157 people, including 91 Saudi citizens and citizens of other countries. Saudi Arabian state TV released footage of a large convoy of Saudis and other foreign nationals traveling by car and bus from Khatoum to Port Sudan. These people were transported by naval ships across the Red Sea to the Saudi port of Jeddah.

Such is the condition of this city

Sudanese army led by General Abdel Fattah Burhan nd the power struggle between the ‘Rapid Support Force’ led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagallo has dealt a blow to Sudan’s hopes for democratic transition. More than 400 people, including 264 civilians, have been killed and more than 3,500 injured in the conflict. Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said without giving further details that an Egyptian diplomat was wounded in Sudan on Sunday after being shot. Many wounded were trapped in the fighting, according to the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, which monitors casualties. The organization said the number of casualties could be much higher. Atia Abdalla Atia, secretary of the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, said Khartoum looked deserted. About half the population has left the city and the rest are looking for a way out. Millions of people are locked in homes that do not have enough electricity, food or water because of the conflict. Internet remained suspended in the country on Sunday and phone service was also disrupted.