How is Britain evacuating people from Sudan?

The first British citizens were evacuated from conflict-ridden Sudan on Tuesday.

A 72-hour ceasefire between the warring factions allowed foreign nationals to escape a “dangerous, volatile and unpredictable” situation, reports prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Several previous ceasefires announced after the fighting began on April 15 have not been observed, the Associated Press reported.

Here’s a look at what we know about evacuation plans so far.

– Why are people being evacuated from Sudan?

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands injured in a bloody conflict between the Sudanese army and a powerful paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces.

The prospect of airlifting large numbers of people out of Sudan is complicated by the fact that most major airports have become battlegrounds and travel from the capital has proven dangerous.

The current outbreak of violence comes after the two generals fell out over a recent internationally brokered deal with democracy activists that was supposed to incorporate the RSF into the army and eventually lead to civilian rule.

A stream of European, Middle Eastern, African and Asian military planes flew throughout Sunday and Monday to ferry hundreds of diplomats.

For many Sudanese, the departure of foreigners and the closing of embassies is an ominous sign that international forces are waiting for a worsening of the hostilities that have already led the population to disaster.

Sudanese were desperate for ways to avoid chaos, fearing that the rival camps would escalate their all-out power struggle once the evacuation was complete.

– Who has been evacuated so far?The first flight carrying British citizens landed at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus with 39 people on board on Tuesday. BBC informed.

Two more flights with about 220 people are expected at night.

Rishi Sunak said the first flight to take British civilians out of the war-torn country carried everyone who was at the airfield and eligible.

Mr Sunak told broadcasters: “The first flight took everyone who was at the airfield and could have been processed.

“We have two more flights tonight and many more tomorrow that will be able to evacuate several hundred people if they can get to the airfield.”

– How many Britons can be evacuated?“Just over 2,000” British citizens in Sudan have registered in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Downing Street he said with reference to the latest data.

The Prime Minister said “over a thousand” British nationals in Sudan had been contacted about evacuation plans, and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development (FCDO) officials had already spoken to hundreds directly.

Minister of Defense Ben Wallace said that 99% of British citizens registered with the Foreign Office are based in the capital, Khartoum.

The Foreign Office urged British passport holders and their family members to head to Wadi Saidna airfield north of the city to board evacuation flights.

– Will it be possible to evacuate everyone?

The Foreign Office urged British passport holders and their family members to head to Wadi Saidna airfield north of Khartoum to board evacuation flights.

Mr Wallace told Channel 4 News there were still no large queues at the airfield to try to escape.

He said: “What we learned from seeing the German and French evacuations is that it’s not like Kabul in the first place, not thousands at the gates and people getting through. Processing is underway.”

The Prime Minister announced that many more flights are expected on Wednesday.

– How are they evacuated?The plan is likely to involve the use of A400M and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to transport citizens by air, with flights between the airfield and Akrotiri Air Force Base in Cyprus.

Mr Wallace said the Royal Marines were also considering a sea evacuation from the more “benign environment” of Port Sudan, about 500 miles from the capital.

HMS Lancaster and RFA Cardigan Bay were dispatched to the region.

– Who helps British citizens escape from the fighting?About 120 British troops are at an airfield near Khartoum being used for evacuations, Mr Wallace said.

Britain will take over the airfield from German forces on Wednesday, with only one country allowed to contribute to the airfield at a time.

Germany said it had operated its last flight on Tuesday evening after evacuating around 500 people from 30 countries.

Mr Wallace also told Channel 4 news there was “some risk that some planes are not full”.

He added: “We’ve seen it on the German planes and then of course they’ve decided to take other foreign personnel there if there’s room.”

– Is the air base safe?Downing Street said the British military was ready to defend an airfield in Sudan, but said efforts would be made to avoid “active engagement” with other forces.

An official spokesman for the Prime Minister said: “It should be stressed that the international evacuation has been taking place since Sunday and we have not seen any significant problems … or the appearance of large crowds.”

– How long do British citizens have to fly out of Sudan?

Mr Sunak said he could not “guarantee” the long-term security of the air route being used, given the instability of the ceasefire, but other options were being considered.

James Cleverley said the evacuation of British citizens from Sudan was “inherently dangerous” as it remained unclear how long the ceasefire would last.

The Foreign Secretary began his keynote speech at the Lord Mayor’s Easter Banquet in London by talking about Tuesday’s conflict.

He said: “As you would expect, I have been in Cobra meetings and other meetings about our response to this situation today. I can inform you that a Royal Air Force flight carrying British nationals has departed Sudan to safety this evening.

“From the very beginning of this crisis, we planned how to get our people out. And now that our and international calls for a ceasefire in Khartoum have been heard, we are putting these plans into action, giving priority to those most in need, families, the sick and the elderly.

“I am pleased that both factions have announced a 72-hour ceasefire. Of course, we can’t be sure how long this will last. And any evacuation from a battle-scarred city is inherently dangerous.

“Britain is working hand-in-hand with our partners around the world and, following this operation, we will do everything we can with our friends in the region to ensure a lasting resolution to this tragic conflict.”