Page 7 - Sudan

Sudan war intensifies, countries start evacuation drive, rescue operations

Countries have started to evacuate their stranded citizens as fierce fighting continues to rage in Khartoum, with France being the latest one to evacuate around 100 people of multiple nationalities

TMS Ep 417: India's demography, Bournvita row, markets, Sudan turmoil

Is India facing a demographic challenge? Does Bournvita row raise questions about health food? Why did cryptos outperform equities? Why are Sudan's defence forces fighting each other? Answers here

2 IAF aircraft on standby in Jeddah to evacuate Indians from Sudan

India has put two C-130J military transport aircraft on standby in Jeddah while an Indian Navy ship reached a key port in the region as part of the government's plans to evacuate stranded Indians from violence-hit Sudan. Giving out the details, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said contingency plans for the evacuation of Indians have been put in place but any movement on the ground would depend on the security situation. It said the security situation in Sudan continues to be "volatile" with reports of fierce fighting coming from various locations in the country's capital Khartoum. The MEA said India is making all-out efforts to ensure the safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan. "We are closely monitoring the complex and evolving security situation in Sudan," it said. "We are also coordinating closely with various partners for the safe movement of those Indians who are stranded in Sudan and would like to be evacuated," the MEA said. Apart from the Sudanese authorit

International govts race to rescue diplomats, citizens from Sudan

The US military airlifted embassy officials out of Sudan on Sunday and international governments raced to evacuate their diplomatic staff and citizens trapped in the capital as rival generals battled for control of Africa's third-largest country for a ninth straight day. Fighting raged in Omdurman, the city across the Nile from Sudan's capital, Khartoum, residents reported. The violence came despite a declared truce that was to coincide with the three-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. We did not see such a truce, said Amin al-Tayed from his home near state television headquarters in Omdurman. He said heavy gunfire and thundering explosions rocked the city. The battles did not stop, he said. Thick black smoke filled the sky over Khartoum's airport. The paramilitary group battling the Sudanese armed forces claimed the military unleashed airstrikes on the upscale neighbourhood of Kafouri, north of Khartoum. There was no immediate comment from the army. After a week of bloody battles

US troops evacuating 70 diplomats from Sudan amid fierce fighting

US troops are carrying out a precarious evacuation of American embassy staffers in the African nation of Sudan, shuttering the US embassy there as fighting rages for a ninth day, according to a senior Biden administration official. Biden ordered American troops to evacuate embassy personnel after receiving a recommendation earlier on Saturday from his national security team with no end in sight to the fighting, according to the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the mission. The evacuation order was believed to apply to about 70 Americans. US forces were airliftng them from a landing zone at the embassy to an unspecified location. The State Department has suspended operations at the embassy due to the dire security situation. It was not clear when the embassy might resume functioning.

Indians safely evacuated from Sudan, Jaishankar's call to Saudi counterpart

Indian nationals are among 66 people from "friendly and brotherly countries" evacuated by Saudi Arabia from violence-torn Sudan.The evacuation came days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Saudi Arabia counterpart. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Sudan.Sudan is facing violence due to fighting between the army and the paramilitary forces. There are reports of violence even amid 72-hour ceasefire."In the implementation of the directives of the Kingdom's Leadership, we are pleased to announce the safe arrival of the evacuated citizens of the Kingdom from Sudan and several nationals of brotherly & friendly countries, including diplomats & international officials," Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministry statement said.The Ministry said that not only its own citizens but also a number of citizens of allied and friendly nations were evacuated from the North African country of Sudan."We are happy

Sudanese army says evacuation of diplomats expected to begin

The Sudanese army said Saturday it was coordinating efforts to evacuate diplomats from the United States, Britain, China and France out of the country on military airplanes, as fighting persisted in the capital, including at its main airport. The military said that army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan had spoken to leaders of various countries requesting safe evacuations of their citizens and diplomats from Sudan, which has been roiled by bloody fighting for the past week. Countries have struggled to repatriate their citizens amid deadly clashes that have killed over 400 people so far. With Sudan's main international airport closed, foreign countries have ordered their citizens to simply shelter in place until they can figure out evacuation plans. Burhan said that diplomats from Saudi Arabia had already been evacuated from Port Sudan and airlifted back to the kingdom. He said that Jordan's diplomats would soon be evacuated in the same way. Earlier this week, the Pentagon said it was

Over 400 killed, 3500 injured in Sudan's deadly clashes: Health Ministry

Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15

PM Narendra Modi reviews security situation in violence-hit Sudan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level meeting on Friday to review the situation concerning Indians in violence-hit Sudan, government sources said on Friday. India on Thursday said the situation in Sudan is "very tense" and is focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community, including working on contingency plans and possible evacuation. The conflict is a direct result of a vicious power struggle within the country's military leadership. The clashes are between Sudan's regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Paramilitary group RSF announces 72-hour ceasefire in violence hit Sudan

As violence in Sudan enters day seven, the country's paramilitary force Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has announced a 72-hour ceasefire starting from Friday, Al Jazeera reported

India in continuous touch with Indians in Sudan, says S Jaishankar

S Jaishankar said the government is in continuous touch with Indians stuck in Sudan where fighting has been raging between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

Jaishankar discusses Sudan with Guterres, pitches for successful diplomacy

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday discussed the worsening situation in Sudan with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and underscored the need for successful diplomacy which can lead to an early ceasefire and create the ground situation for the safety and welfare of people. Jaishankar, who met Guterres at the UN headquarters here, also discussed other issues, including India's presidency of the G20 and the Ukraine conflict, with the UN chief. "Good to meet UN Secretary General @antonioguterres in New York today afternoon. Discussed the current developments in Sudan, G20 Presidency and Ukraine, he tweeted. Focus understandably was on Sudan. India strongly supports efforts towards an early ceasefire, leading to creation of safe corridors. Will continue to work closely with UN and other partners in this regard, he said. Jaishankar is headed on a nine-day trip to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic beginning on Friday, his first visit as the external

Thousands of Sudanese cross borders to flee fighting, says report

Forces commanded by two previously allied leaders of Sudan's ruling council began a violent power struggle last weekend that has so far killed more than 330 people

Unravelling the Sudan Crisis: The Root Causes of the Ongoing Conflict

In the last few days, a deadly conflict has erupted in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, between rival factions of the armed forces. Watch the video to know about the causes of the ongoing Sudan conflict

Working on contingency plans, possible evacuation in Sudan: Arindam Bagchi

As fighting between two rival forces rages in Sudan, India on Thursday said the situation in that country is "very tense" and it is focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community, including working on contingency plans and possible evacuation. New Delhi is keeping a close watch on the developments in Sudan besides being in touch with relevant countries, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing and added that any evacuation plan will depend on the ground situation. "We are in readiness of taking multiple options. There are contingency plans. We are in close touch with our teams on the ground. But it will all depend on how long there is a pause in the fighting or a ceasefire; where it is happening, what is available in terms of locations where we can safely take people away," he said. He was responding to a question on whether India is looking to evacuate its citizens from Sudan. Bagchi also said External Affairs Minister

Sudanese military rules out negotiations with rival paramilitary force

Sudan's military has ruled out any negotiations with the rival paramilitary forces to end the crisis roiling the country and says it will only accept their surrender. A statement from the military on Thursday said that engaging in talks with the paramilitary Rapid Support Force would only be possible to discuss their surrender. There would be no armed forces outside the military military system," it said. The statement came as the latest attempt at a 24-hour cease-fire between Sudan's warring forces grew increasingly strained. The two sides have been battling since Saturday for control of the strategic African country. Meanwhile, fighters from Sudan's rival factions battled around the main military installation in central Khartoum and other parts of the country's capital on Thursday, threatening to unravel the latest attempt at a cease-fire as foreign governments looked for ways to extract their citizens trapped in the conflict. With some parts of the Sudanese capital relatively

Army vs paramilitary: A common person's guide to the crisis in Sudan

Sudanese people are running out of food, fuel and other vital supplies, and the healthcare system is in danger of collapse. But what's happening in Sudan? Here's an easy guide

Relatives of Indians stranded in Sudan appeal evacuation from govt

Anxious relatives of several Indians stuck in Sudan following the fighting between the Army and paramilitary forces are eagerly waiting for information about their relatives and appealed to the government to evacuate them from the strife-torn African country as soon as possible. Fighting erupted in Sudan on Saturday, leaving at least 185 people, including an Indian, dead and more than 1,800 injured. Mansi Sheth, whose father is stuck in the country following the clashes between the Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary force, said she was worried about his safety. She said her 63-year-old father was in Sudan on a business trip and was to fly back to Mumbai on Saturday (April 15). He was at the airport when they were informed that the flight was cancelled. He along with other passengers was not allowed to leave the airport. After some hours when they were allowed to leave the airport, they had to walk towards their hotels as there was no conveyance available. "I am worried about my

India coordinating with US, UK, Saudi and UAE on safety of Indians in Sudan

India is coordinating closely with various countries to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals in violence-hit Sudan, government sources said on Wednesday. They said the ground situation in that country is very tense and movement of people is very risky at this stage. Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country's army and a paramilitary group for the last six days that has reportedly left around 100 people dead. The sources said India's priority is safety of movement and well being of individuals wherever they are located. They said that the Quartet countries of the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have a key role in Sudan and India is engaging them accordingly. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has already spoken to his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The sources said both the foreign ministers assured Jaishankar of their practical support on the ground. India is also working with the UN, which has a substa

Death toll due to unrest in Sudan reaches 270, over 2,600 injured: WHO

United Nations spokesman said, "We have not received any indications here that there's been a halt in the fighting"