209 Irish residents and dependents evacuated from Sudan in whole
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additional 89 Irish residents and their dependents have been evacuated from Sudan, bringing the overall Irish evacuees to 209, the Department of Foreign Affairs has mentioned.
The majority of Irish residents evacuated by air in current days have been carried on UK flights into Cyprus, the division mentioned.
The UK Government had mentioned its ultimate flight departed from Wadi Saeedna airfield late on Saturday night time.
It comes as a ceasefire within the conflict-stricken north African nation appeared to falter, with residents reporting heavy explosions and gunfire breaking out once more within the capital Khartoum regardless of the extension of the armistice between the nation’s two warring generals.
Hundreds of individuals have died within the bloody battle between the Sudanese military and paramilitary group often called the Rapid Support Forces.
Micheal Martin, the Irish deputy premier and Foreign Affairs Minister, mentioned Ireland’s Emergency Civil Assistance Team (Ecat) operation in Cyprus and Djibouti is now to be withdrawn.
The mission, named Operation Piccolo, has concerned Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officers being stationed within the international locations with the purpose of helping within the evacuation.
Ireland has additionally acquired assist from France and Spain to airlift Irish residents, residents and visa holders to security.
Members of the Defence Forces’ Special Operations Forces unit and the Army Ranger Wing supported the operation.
“On deployment, the team secured the DFA personnel on the ground, liaised with key actors in the airport and assisted DFA in the processing and evacuation of identified Irish citizens/dependents,” the Defence Forces mentioned in a press release.
“The team were also on standby to provide medical assistance if required.”
Ireland will now preserve an “enhanced multi-location consular presence” for residents who stay in Sudan – working from Dublin, Nairobi, Cairo, Amman, Riyadh and Addis Ababa.
The division mentioned embassies stay in shut contact with any residents in Sudan who’ve requested help.
“I wish to thank the ECAT team and all those involved in our consular response,” Mr Martin mentioned.
“Our primary aim has been to offer our citizens every assistance through what has been an extremely difficult and challenging time.
“Our experienced consular teams in Dublin and in the region will continue to actively respond to the needs of our citizens as the situation evolves.
“I would like to thank our EU partners, the UK, Jordan, Norway and Djibouti for their strong cooperation in this challenging mission,” the Tanaiste added.
Citizens have been urged to comply with the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya on Twitter (@IrlEmbKenya) for up to date recommendation.