Several countries begin evacuating their citizens from Sudan as clashes continue

ISTANBUL/ADEN/BEIRUT

Several countries have begun evacuating their citizens from Sudan as fighting in the capital between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) entered a second week.

European Council President Charles Michel said on Twitter that the first evacuations of European Union diplomats and citizens have started from Khartoum.

Michel thanked France and Djibouti as well as EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell for their contributions to the evacuation efforts.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry meanwhile said that evacuation procedures for Egyptian citizens from Sudan began in coordination with Sudanese authorities.

According to the ministry, more than 10,000 Egyptian citizens live in Sudan.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said that Lebanon's embassy in Khartoum informed them that the first phase of the evacuation of Lebanese nationals in Sudan had been successfully completed and that a convoy carrying 51 Lebanese citizens had reached the city of Port Sudan by land.

An official from the Lebanese government's High Aid Commission said the Lebanese nationals will be transported first to Saudi Arabia by sea and then to Lebanon by air.

Yemen’s Foreign Ministry said that all preparations have been completed for the evacuation of Yemenis in Khartoum to Port Sudan and then to Yemen.

It added that the number of Yemenis who demanded to return to their country had reached 1,350.

Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF continued Sunday despite a 72-hour cease-fire declared for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

There have been reports of explosions and fighting, particularly around the military headquarters and presidential palace in Khartoum.

At least 413 people have been killed and more than 3,500 have been injured in Sudan since fighting between the two sides erupted on April 15.