Sudanese seek refuge from country's fighting as foreigners are being airlifted out -- Sydney Park

In Khartoum, Sudan, foreign governments are airlifting hundreds of their diplomats and citizens from Sudan. Additionally, Sudanese, on Monday, were trying to find almost any way to escape all of the chaos with fears of the country's rival generals battling for power; many citizens who couldn't make a flight work, risked a long and dangerous drive to the northern border in Egypt (traveling 15 hours on land, at their own risk), but there are still many students and citizens stuck in Sudan.

There was even fighting (in Omdurman) through a three-day Muslim holiday (Eid al-Fitr), even though there was tremendous hope for a cease-fire. Over 420 people, including 264 civilians, have been killed, and more than 3,700 have been wounded within nine days of fighting between Sudanese forces and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The RSF say the armed forces have released airstrikes on the neighborhood of Kafouri, and the army did not comment. The violence has affected the main international airport and has destroyed civilian planes and damaged at least one runway; other airports have been put out of operation.

Despite all of the affects on citizens, both sides eased fighting long enough for the international military aircraft to land in the Khartoum in helicopters to evacuate US Embassy personnel. France brought out about 400 people, including citizens from 28 countries, on four flights. Dutch air force flew out many nationalities, including some Dutch, early Monday morning. Germany has brought ore than 300 people out of Jordan. Italy, Spain, Jordan, and Greece have also brought out a total of several hundred people, including their own citizens of those of other countries.

https://www.npr.org/2023/04/24/1171584958/sudanese-seek-refuge-from-fighting-sudan

Sydney Park