The British prime minister and foreign secretary announced on Sunday that the UK had evacuated its diplomatic staff and their dependants from Khartoum, while UK nationals still living in Sudan remained in the country.
Rishi Sunak announced that British armed forces had carried out “a complex and rapid” military operation to evacuate the diplomats. The evacuation involved members of UK special forces and the Parachute Regiment.
UK citizens still trapped by the fighting in Khartoum are likely to be deeply concerned about the news that diplomats have been prioritised. However, the UK foreign secretary, James Cleverly, insisted that the top priority remained the safety of British nationals.
Cleverly said that the UK was working round the clock to broker international support to end the bloodshed in Sudan. The conflict has pitted army units loyal to Sudan’s military ruler, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.
Cleverly warned that UK Government efforts to provide assistance to those stuck in Sudan will remain “severely limited” until a ceasefire is reached.
In the meantime, the government urged British citizens to register their location with the Foreign Office.
Citizens were further advised to “shelter in place” . UK citizens are advised to keep their passports and travel documents with them, where possible, in case they can be rescued, provided that the fighting allows for it.
Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, said the operation to remove British embassy staff from Sudan involved more than 1,200 personnel from the British army.
Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force (RAF). The British military carried out the operation in conjunction with the French military.
UK Armed Forces Military Operation Alongside The United States
“This morning, UK Armed Forces undertook a military operation alongside the United States; France and other allies,” Wallace said in a written statement. “They have evacuated British embassy staff and their dependants from Khartoum due to the escalating threats against diplomats
“The operation involved more than 1,200 personnel from 16 Air Assault Brigade; the Royal Marines and the RAF. I am grateful to all our partners.”
He implied that British troops had flown from RAF bases in Cyprus. Military sources confirmed that the SAS was involved, although the UK’s standing policy is to not comment on the presence of special forces.
The paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, who claim control of Khartoum airport, stated that six planes were involved in the mass evacuation of diplomats. They added that the rescue mission had been carried out with their full cooperation and knowledge.
It will be the task of diplomats including from Saudi Arabia to persuade Hemedti to allow further planes to land to take away foreign civilians.
British troops had been on the move since at least Friday via locations including Cyprus, with one military source saying “almost all Hereford”, a reference to the SAS, were among those involved in the emergency international effort.