How Britain's elite forces including SAS and Royal Marines rescued UK diplomats and their families from Sudan amid bloody conflict between the country's army and powerful paramilitary group
- Two dozen UK diplomats escaped from the capital of Khartoum earlier today
- British soldiers accompanied the group on the 18-mile journey to the airfield
British special forces have successfully carried out a high-risk mission to rescue UK diplomats and their families who were trapped in Sudan amid a fierce conflict raging in the country.
Late last night, a team of elite British operatives from the Royal Marines, SAS and Royal Air Force flew into Khartoum aboard an American military aircraft.
Once they landed, they got hold of several local vehicles and drove into the city.
They sought out around two dozen British diplomats and their families who were holed up an area of Khartoum located in between two warring factions vying for control of the capital.
The location, near the epicentre of the conflict, proved challenging for the troops to reach and it was feared more soldiers and aircraft would be required for backup if the fighting was too intense.
A team of elite British soldiers flew into Khartoum and evacuated around two dozen diplomats from the city
Despite this, the team managed to drive the group of around 30 people - including children - to an airfield 18 miles outside of the city, passing through multiple checkpoints.
Once there, they boarded two Royal Air Force transport planes which had arrived from a British military base in Cyprus and took them to safety in the early hours of this morning.
After landing in Khartoum last night, the British soldiers drove to the UK embassy, which is situated in an area of the city ravaged by fighting.
During the day yesterday, around two dozen British diplomats and their family members had gathered together and awaited the troops' arrival, according to Sky News.
The group, which is estimated to consist of 30 adults and children, was then carefully extracted from the area and taken on the 18-mile journey to the airfield.
In the event of any fighting or violence, UK defence planners had organised back-up troops and aircraft who, if in need, would move through the checkpoints with force and reach the diplomats.
If this were to happen, the soldiers already with the diplomats would attempt to protect them until further support arrived.
However, there was little disruption to the journey, allowing the soldiers to drive the group to the airfield, where an aircraft was waiting for takeoff at around 9am UK time.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace revealed today 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).
This morning, UK Armed Forces undertook a military operation alongside the United States; France and other allies,' Mr Wallace said in a written statement.
'The operation involved more than 1,200 personnel from 16 Air Assault Brigade; the Royal Marines and the RAF.
The Sudanese army had on Saturday said Britain was one of a number of nations, including the US and China, that it would be assisting to help remove its officials from the dangerous conditions in the country.
Prospects of airlifting people out of Sudan had been complicated by the fact most major airports have become battlegrounds and movement out of the capital has proven perilous.
US special forces evacuate nearly 100 diplomatic personnel from Sudan as African nation collapses into civil war
- The US military evacuated American diplomats and their families from Sudan
- The operation, involving six aircraft, was carried out early Sunday morning
- Other foreign nationals began evacuating from a port in Sudan on Saturday
The US military evacuated American diplomats and their families from Sudan, Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces said early Sunday as fighting between rival commanders that has killed hundreds of civilians continued.
The operation, involving six aircraft, was carried out in coordination with the RSF, it said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement: 'Today, at the direction of the President, the U.S. military conducted a successful operation to safely evacuate U.S. government personnel out of Sudan.'
'This action, led by U.S. Africa Command and conducted in close coordination with the U.S. State Department, demonstrates the Department of Defense's support for our nation's diplomatic personnel,' he added.
We also thank our allies and partners, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia, which were critical to the success of this operation.'
The bloody onslaught of urban warfare has trapped large numbers in the Sudanese capital, disabling the airport and rendering some roads impassable.
With the airport closed and skies unsafe, thousands of foreigners - including embassy staff, aid workers and students in Khartoum and elsewhere in Africa's third largest country - have also been unable to get out.
Saudi Arabia has evacuated Gulf citizens from Port Sudan on the Red Sea, 400 miles from Khartoum. Jordan will use the same route for its nationals.
The U.S. Embassy warned Americans that it could not assist convoys from Khartoum to Port Sudan and travel would be at individuals' own risk.
TV feeds showed a huge cloud of black smoke rising from Khartoum airport.
The White House has said it has no plans to evacuate the remaining 16,000 US citizens stuck in Sudan, even as it issued a travel advisory warning of 'armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, terrorism and kidnapping.'
Wendy Sherman, the deputy secretary of state, made clear that they are not about to evacuate American citizens. She said they have been told for months not to travel there and to get out.
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman briefed lawmakers on the fighting
Saudi Arabia, the first country to announce the evacuation of civilians, shared footage of Saudis and other foreign citizens from 'brotherly' nations being brought to safety by boat.
Saudi Arabia's official Al-Ikhbaryia TV channel shared footage of a boat used in the evacuation of Saudi citizens and other nationals from Sudan
The US Embassy in Sudan said it had 'incomplete information about significant convoys departing Khartoum traveling towards Port Sudan' and that the situation remained dangerous.
'Traveling in any convoy is at your own risk,' it said.
Aerial view of black smoke rising above the Khartoum International Airport
Two burning planes at Khartoum International Airport
The Sudanese army is battling powerful Russian-backed paramilitary forces in and around Khartoum.
Prospects of airlifting people out of Sudan have been complicated by the fact most major airports in the country have become battlegrounds.
The military launched strikes from fighter jets and drones at paramilitary positions in and around the capital
The country's medical system was on the verge of collapse, with many hospitals forced to shut down and others running out of supplies
Aid groups have been unable to deliver help to Sudan's overwhelmed hospitals. Hospitals in Khartoum are running dangerously low on medical supplies, often operating without power and clean water
Around 70 per cent of hospitals throughout the country are out of service because of the fighting, the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate said, adding that at least nine hospitals were bombed.
Fires can be seen burning at night after days of heavy fighting in the capital Khartoum
Destroyed military vehicles in southern Khartoum
Different countries have taken different approaches to rescuing citizens.
Japan's defense ministry has positioned military transport aircraft in Djibouti to prepare for pulling 63 of its nationals out.
Germany reportedly sent three planes, only to abandon the rescue once they were on their way.
Ties between Russia's shadowy Wagner group and the Sudanese military have been thrust into the spotlight. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as 'Hemedti' and leader of the powerful Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has strong ties to Wagner, which has been operating in Sudan since at least 2017 and has provided the RSF with weapons and training. In return, Wagner has allegedly been allowed to plunder Sudanese mines for gold worth billions.
The northern region of historic Sudan is predominantly Muslim and Arabic-speaking. South Sudan is mostly Christian or "folk religion".
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