Saudi Arabia evacuates over 350 people from Sudan including nationals from 26 countries

By Betul Yuruk

NEW YORK (AA) - Saudi Arabia has evacuated more than 350 people from Sudan, including its own nationals and nationals from 26 countries, as fighting in the capital Khartoum between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) entered a second week.

A total of 356 evacuees including 101 Saudi nationals arrived in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on Twitter on Monday.

Among the evacuees were nationals from the US, the UK, Sweden, Italy, Qatar, Syria, the Netherlands, Iraq, Türkiye, Tanzania, Lebanon and Libya, it said.

''The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue its efforts and offer assistance to ensure the safe evacuation of foreign nationals to their destinations,'' it added.

Heavy fighting in Sudan between the army and the RSF has entered its second week, with more than 400 people killed and over 3,500 injured since April 15.

Earlier on Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a three-day cease-fire to halt the escalating violence in the East African nation.