UK to launch fresh Sudan evacuation flight tomorrow after more than 2,000 escape from war-torn country | The Sun
THE UK is set to launch an extra evacuation flight from Port Sudan tomorrow as over 2,000 have escaped from the war-torn country.
The government said today the extra flight is scheduled to depart on May 1, for those trapped in Sudan after the deadline to make it to the evacuation flights expired on Saturday.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said rescue efforts would continue from the east of Sudan as Britain and its international allies advocate for a long-term ceasefire.
The UK has evacuated 2,122 people on 23 flights from the Wadi Saeedna airfield near Khartoum.
He said: "The UK has now airlifted over 2,100 people to safety from Sudan, in what has been the largest and longest evacuation of any Western country.
"I want to thank all of those working to deliver this evacuation and ensure as many people as possible are brought to safety.
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"Evacuation flights have ended from Wadi Saeedna but our rescue efforts continue from Port Sudan.
"We continue to do everything in our power to secure a long-term ceasefire, a stable transition to civilian rule and an end the violence in Sudan."
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "I am grateful to our armed forces who have ensured there was an alternative to Wadi Saeedna and who are currently supporting FCDO and Border Force staff to facilitate the rescue effort.
"HMS Lancaster and the RAF are also there in support of HMG."
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It comes as Brits were warned on Saturday they had until midday to reach the airfield on the outskirts of Khartoum for the evacuation flights.
The journey to the airfield is potentially dangerous with reports of heavy clashes once again despite the fragile ceasefire.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office had urged those left in Sudan to travel to the Wadi Saeedna site before 12pm local time (11am BST) to be processed before the final plane leaves.
Hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands have fled for their lives in a power struggle between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted into violence on April 15.
The fighting has also reawakened a two-decade-old conflict in the western Darfur region where scores have died.
The army has been deploying jets or drones on RSF forces in neighbourhoods across the capital.
Many residents are pinned down by urban warfare with scant food, fuel, water and power.
At least 512 people have been killed and close to 4,200 wounded, according to the United Nations, which believes the real toll is much higher.
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