The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the importance of intensifying ceasefire efforts
UAE evacuates a number of its citizens from Sudan and nationals of 16 countries
Receiving arrivals from Sudan with flowers at Abu Dhabi Airport yesterday. WAM
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An evacuation plane carrying a number of its citizens and nationals of 16 countries arrived in the UAE from Sudan, which has been witnessing clashes since the middle of this month, and the plane carried the most needy groups of patients, children, the elderly and women, as the UAE placed them at the top of its priorities, and the UAE hosts them on its territory, and provides them with all services before transferring them to their countries.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation affirmed the success of the evacuation operation carried out by the UAE as part of its humanitarian efforts, and its commitment to strengthening global cooperation and solidarity, and in continuation of its humanitarian approach based on providing protection for civilians and extending a helping hand to countries in times of need. The transitional phase leading to the desired political and security stability in Sudan.
It is worth noting that the UAE has recently worked to provide all hosting and sponsorship services for 19 different nationalities, during their evacuation to Port Sudan and their presence in the city of Port Sudan.
In addition, gunfire and heavy artillery shells continued yesterday in parts of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, despite the extension of the ceasefire between the army forces and the Rapid Support Forces, while the countries of the world continued to evacuate their diplomatic staff and nationals, while thousands of Sudanese flee across the border to Chad and Egypt.
Those fleeing the fighting in Khartoum face further obstacles on their way to safety, as the road journey to the city of Port Sudan, where ships then evacuate those fleeing fighting across the Red Sea, is long and risky.
Residents said clashes continued yesterday around the presidential palace, the headquarters of state radio and television and a military base in Khartoum, despite the extension of the truce for another 72 hours at dawn last Friday, and the clashes led to thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky of Khartoum.
In a few areas near the capital, including Omdurman, residents reported that some shops began to open as fighting subsided, and in others, residents said they took shelter in their homes amid explosions around them. Residents in the city of Omdurman, west of Khartoum, said they had to wait three days for fuel, complicating their escape plans. Several hospitals in Khartoum and across the country have also been closed.
Yesterday, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces announced the downing of a MiG warplane belonging to the Sudanese army in Omdurman, pointing to its response to an attack on the Salha camp. The UN relief coordinator, Martin Griffiths, said that the UN offices in Khartoum, as well as in the cities of El Geneina and Nyala in Darfur, were all attacked and looted, adding: "This is unacceptable, prohibited under international law."
In a related context, the Sudanese Armed Forces affirmed their commitment to the political process that leads to the establishment of civilian authority in the country, and the Office of the Spokesman for the Armed Forces said in a statement: "The armed forces will not be a lever for any entity, party or group to attack power, and they are committed to the political process that leads to the establishment of civilian authority."