“Complex Operation” – How Governments Rescue Their Citizens From Sudan

Given the dangerous situation in Sudan, foreign governments are working very hard to get diplomats and citizens out of the country. The US, Britain and several EU countries reported appropriate precautions on Sunday. As far as possible, nationals from other EU countries and other countries are also taken, for example from Germany.

Austria does not have its own embassy in Sudan. The representation in Egypt is responsible for the Northeast African country. About 45 Austrians were in Sudan over the weekend, 25 of whom could be flown out on Monday evening, Federal Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said on Twitter: “I am very relieved that last night about 25 Austrians were able to be brought to safety with evacuation flights. We are very grateful for the solidarity and help of our European partners, especially Germany and France.”

So far, the German Bundeswehr has flown a total of 311 people out of Khartoum. They were taken to Jordan, from where an onward journey was organized, the Bundeswehr said. “Further evacuation flights are planned as long as the security situation allows,” the foreign ministry said.

Sunak praises military personnel
The British government announced on Sunday that it had evacuated diplomatic staff and family members. “I commend the dedication of our diplomats and the courage of the military who carried out this difficult operation,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on Twitter.

And further: “We continue to pursue all options to end the bloodshed in Sudan and to ensure the safety of British nationals who remain in the country.”

According to media reports, France flew out about 100 people. A first plane was on its way from the Sudanese capital Khartoum to Djibouti on Sunday evening, a second plane would also take off in the evening, French television channels franceinfo and BFMTV report, referring to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday, two Dutch military aircraft have been ready for evacuation in Jordan since Wednesday evening. Marines and a medical unit are also on standby in Jordan. The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wopke Hoekstra, spoke of a “very complex operation” that the Netherlands is carrying out together with the French and Germans.

Greece has sent special military units and aircraft to Egypt for an evacuation mission in disputed Sudan. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias announced this on state television on Sunday. Egypt agreed to the action. This mission should be coordinated with other countries and international organizations, it said.

Italian citizens and diplomats were also flown out of Khartoum. “All Italians who have asked to leave Sudan are safe and on the plane to Djibouti,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on Twitter late on Sunday evening.

80 Norwegians left in Sudan
Norway has brought three diplomats to safety, including Ambassador Endre Stiansen, the Foreign Ministry said in Oslo on Sunday evening. In cooperation with other European countries, work is underway to evacuate approximately 80 registered Norwegian citizens from Sudan.

US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have confirmed the evacuation of the US Embassy. Washington temporarily suspended work at the US embassy as fighting continued in Sudan, the president said. Blinken again urged the parties to the conflict to permanently cease hostilities. All US personnel were flown out this weekend.

A Saudi Arabian group was evacuated from the eastern city of Port Sudan on Saturday. A Jordanian delegation would also be flown out of Port Sudan. There is almost 850 kilometers between Khartoum and Port Sudan. The Turkish foreign ministry said Turkish citizens should be brought to safety by land through a third country.

Ships had citizens from twelve countries on board
According to the Saudi television channel Al-Arabiya, five Saudi ships also carried more than 150 people from Sudan to Saudi Arabia. According to the Saudi foreign ministry, diplomats and citizens from Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Canada, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, India, Pakistan, Burkina Faso and the Philippines were on board the ships. At least 413 people have been killed and more than 3,500 injured since the fighting began, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The actual number of victims is probably much higher.