UAE Thanks Saudi Arabia For Evacuating Emiratis From War-Stricken Sudan

Several UAE citizens have been rescued from Sudan as a conflict between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group continues to beset the nation.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, thanked Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Monday for his efforts in helping evacuate Emirati citizens from the war-stricken country.

Saudi Arabia helped in carrying out the evacuation of dozens of people, including Emiratis, from Sudan since the armed conflict broke out in the country. Saudi Arabia was the first to lead a successful evacuation operation in the country, using naval operations to rescue at least 150 people who were stranded in the war zone.

The Kingdom has so far evacuated 91 Saudi citizens and 66 UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, India, Pakistan, Tunisia, Egypt, Bulgaria, Canada, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh and Philippine nationals. Those evacuated include diplomats, government staff and officials. They were picked up from Port Sudan on Saturday and were temporarily placed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia carried out the evacuations at the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Aside from UAE's Sheikh Abdullah, leaders of other Arab countries also telephoned Prince Faisal to thank him for facilitating the evacuation of their citizens from Sudan. The Yemeni embassy in Khartoum also expressed gratitude to the Kingdom for its efforts.

The evacuation comes days after the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia called for a dialogue in Sudan amid the ongoing conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the army. In a statement Saturday, the UAE called on the conflicting parties to exercise restraint and end the crisis through effective dialogue.

The country also expressed deep concern over the situation in the country and reaffirmed its position on "the importance of de-escalation, and working towards finding a peaceful solution to the crisis between the concerned parties." The UAE further reiterated its support in the political process of Sudan and "achieving national consensus towards the formation of a government."

The conflict in Sudan erupted on April 15 and has since resulted in violent attacks, including airstrikes leaving at least 400 people dead.