Egypt evacuates over 5,300 citizens from conflict-torn Sudan

ISTANBUL

Egypt has evacuated over 5,300 citizens from conflict-torn Sudan since fighting broke out on April 15.

In a written statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the number of Egyptians evacuated from Sudan had reached 5,327, with around 2,600 evacuated on Thursday – approximately 1,300 by land and the same number by air.

A total of 23 planes took off from Egypt for its southern neighbor, the ministry said, adding that food and health services are being provided to more than 1,000 Egyptian citizens awaiting evacuation.

More than 10,000 Egyptian citizens live in Sudan, according to the ministry.

At least 460 people have been killed and more than 4,000 injured in clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Response Forces (RSF) since April 15, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry.

A disagreement had been fomenting in recent months between the army and paramilitaries concerning military security reform.

The reform envisages full RSF participation in the military – one of the main issues in negotiations with international and regional parties for a transition to civilian, democratic rule.