As fighting continues in Sudan, the Sudanese army has announced that it will evacuate diplomats and nationals from the UK, US, France and China by air. Army chief Fattah al-Burhan has agreed to secure their evacuation in the coming hours. This move comes as he is engaged in a bitter power struggle with the leader of a rival paramilitary faction, the Rapid Support Forces.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia announced that it had evacuated more than 150 people from Sudan, including diplomats and international officials. The UK government is also preparing for a number of contingencies, but the intense fighting in the city centre on Saturday has made it unclear how evacuations from Khartoum’s airport could take place.
The conflict in Sudan has entered its second week, despite a three-day ceasefire agreed upon by both sides. The World Health Organization reports that more than 400 people have been killed, with the death toll believed to be much higher as people struggle to reach hospitals. Medical teams are being targeted in the fighting, and there are reports of rotting bodies in the streets.
Key Highlights:
- Diplomats and nationals from the UK, US, France and China are to be evacuated by air from Sudan as the conflict continues.
- Saudi Arabia has already evacuated over 150 people from Sudan, including diplomats and international officials.
- Despite a three-day ceasefire, the conflict has entered its second week and the death toll is believed to be much higher than reported.
