Saudi Arabia safely evacuates Indians from conflict-hit Sudan days after EAM Jaishankar's call
New Delhi/IBNS: Saudi Arabia has safely evacuated 91stranded foreign nationals—66 from friendly countries, including India, the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
It has also evacuated Bangladeshi nationals as well from conflict-ridden Sudan.
The evacuation was done days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's recent discussions with officials from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, during which both nations had reportedly pledged their "practical support on the ground".
Spoke to Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, HH @FaisalbinFarhan just now.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 18, 2023
Appreciated his assessment of the Sudan situation. Will remain in close touch.
"The number of citizens who were evacuated from friendly countries reached 66, representing the following nationalities - Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, India, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Canada and Burkina Faso," the Saudi foreign minister said in a statement.
A total of 158 people, including Saudi nationals and people from other countries, have been evacuated from Sudan and transferred to Saudi Arabia's Jeddah ports by boat, the Saudi state television said
The army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan are currently engaged in a violent power struggle throughout the country.
The evacuation has taken place as both groups announced that they would observe a three-day ceasefire starting from Friday, to coincide with the festival of Eid al-Fitr.
The current violence in Sudan has been caused by a dispute over an internationally supported proposal to create a new civilian government, which comes four years after the ousting of autocrat Omar al-Bashir and two years following a military coup.
Each side is accusing the other of obstructing the transition.
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