Türkiye issues travel advisory for Sudan amid escalating violence

By Gozde Bayar

Türkiye on Wednesday advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Sudan as fighting escalated between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“It is regrettable that the security situation in Sudan has deteriorated. We recommend that our citizens avoid traveling to Sudan except for absolutely essential situations,” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said on X.

“It is important for our citizens who are currently in Sudan to continue to follow additional warnings and announcements that may be made by our Ministry and our Khartoum Embassy and to take the necessary precautions for their personal security,” Keceli added.

Sudan has been mired by fighting between the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the ruling Sovereign Council, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

More than 12,000 people have been killed and over 33,000 injured as a result of the conflict, according to the UN.

About 7 million people in Sudan have been displaced within the country or fled in search of security in neighboring countries.