SINGAPORE: Singapore has expressed its ‘deepest appreciation and gratitude’ to Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for facilitating the safe return of its citizens from the conflict-torn Khartoum in Sudan.
The Foreign Ministry (MFA) said since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan, it has been rendering consular assistance to the Singaporeans in Sudan and exploring options to evacuate them.
“The Singapore Embassies in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, as well as the Singapore Consulate-General in Jeddah worked closely with their host governments and Malaysian embassy counterparts to facilitate the Singaporean families’ departure from Khartoum to Jeddah,” said MFA’s spokesperson in a statement issued late Thursday.
MFA also confirmed that two Singaporean families, comprising 14 Singaporeans and a family member, have been safely evacuated from Khartoum, Sudan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“They were evacuated together with a group of Malaysians and other nationals with help from the governments of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,” said MFA.
On Thursday, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said 30 Malaysians who were rescued from Khartoum, are scheduled to return home today.
Along with the Malaysians are 22 citizens of other countries, namely 14 Singaporeans, six Cambodians and two Americans.
More than 400 people were reported to have been killed and more than 3,500 others were injured as a result of the armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that broke out on April 15. – BERNAMA
