UK diplomatic staff evacuated from Sudan, PM Sunak says
UK diplomatic staff evacuated from Sudan, PM Sunak says
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the military evacuation of UK diplomatic staff from Sudan as "complex and rapid", while vowing to ensure the safe evacuation of remaining British nationals in the country.
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British non-diplomats nationals living in Sudan were not rescued, though Sunak efforts for such will be carried out [Getty]
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday the country's armed forces evacuated diplomatic staff and their family members from Sudan.
Sunak paid tribute to what he called a "complex and rapid" evacuation after he said there had been a significant escalation in violence and threats to embassy staff. But British nationals living in Sudan were not rescued.
"I pay tribute to the commitment of our diplomats and bravery of the military personnel who carried out this difficult operation," Sunak said on Twitter.
UK armed forces have completed a complex and rapid evacuation of British diplomats and their families from Sudan, amid a significant escalation in violence and threats to embassy staff.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 23, 2023
I pay tribute to the commitment of our diplomats and bravery of the military personnel who…
"We are continuing to pursue every avenue to end the bloodshed in Sudan and ensure the safety of British nationals remaining in the country".
Britain's defence minister, Ben Wallace, said British troops undertook the rescue operation alongside the United States, France, and other unnamed allies.
The eruption of fighting in Sudan eight days ago between the army and Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group has killed hundreds of civilians and trapped many thousands in their homes.
Wallace said more than 1,200 military personnel were involved in organising and carrying out the rescue operation.
The foreign minister James Cleverly said a top priority remained the safety of British nationals. He advised British citizens in the country to shelter indoors and to tell the foreign ministry where they are staying.
A British citizen named as William told Sky News he had not heard anything from the foreign ministry and wanted to know that a plane had been prepared to take them out.
He said it was not feasible for British citizens to get past the checkpoints in the country and drive hundreds of miles to reach the Sudan border. (Reuters)
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