RIYADH: In response to the ongoing security situation in Sudan, Saudi Arabia has begun evacuating its citizens and a number of other nationals from the country.
The evacuation process, which involved five Saudi ships, successfully brought 158 people from Sudan to Jeddah by sea.
The first batch of evacuees arrived in Jeddah on one of the ships and was received by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed Al-Khereiji.
The evacuation process also included all the crew of a Saudia plane that was targeted in Sudan’s capital at Khartoum International Airport. The evacuees arrived on the second ship at King Faisal Naval Base, as reported by Al-Ekhbariya.
Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) had suspended all flights to and from Sudan until further notice after one of its planes, Airbus 4330, Flight No. (59458), was shot at before taking off for Riyadh.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the start of the evacuation process on Saturday, following the directives of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali Bin Hassan Jafar confirmed that Sudan was responsive to their demands for the evacuation process.
Evacuation process from Sudan
He added that the evacuation processions were not intercepted by soldiers, and the whole process was smooth until their arrival in Port Sudan. He also noted that all members of the Saudi embassy in Sudan had been evacuated.
The ongoing security situation in Sudan is due to a week-long fighting between two factions of the country’s military leadership. The clashes have reportedly resulted in at least 400 deaths.
The successful evacuation of Saudi citizens and other nationals from Sudan is a result of the cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Sudan. The smooth process ensured the safety of all evacuees amidst the ongoing unrest in the country.
