Another 10 Greeks and their family members from Sudan were evacuated from the war-torn country, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, has announced.

According to a post by Mr. Dendias on Twitter, the persons evacuated are already in Djibouti and their removal from the war zone took place with the help of Italy. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs also mentions, everyone is in good health.

Yesterday, the first group of Greek citizens left Sudan with the help of France. In the early hours of Monday morning, the French plane, which was carrying both the injured Greeks, landed in Djibouti, according to yesterday’s announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassador of Greece to Ethiopia and the Honorary Consul of the country in Djibouti are in Djibouti to welcome the specific Greek citizens and provide any assistance required.

Two Air Force aircraft, a C-130, and a C-27J, are stationed at an airport in southern Egypt, together with Special Forces personnel, ready to participate in an operation to evacuate Greek citizens.

The process and coordination with EU partners and allies for the evacuation of the remaining Greeks and their family members is ongoing.

Also read: Sudan | New ceasefire effort – The “COSMOS” plan of HNDGS for the evacuation of the Greeks of Sudan

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Konstantinos Kombos, has taken many steps in the last 24 hours seeking help in order to achieve the evacuation of the 20 or so Cypriots who remain trapped in the midst of the war in Sudan.

Since Cyprus does not have the means or the capability to set up its own airlift for its own citizens, it is forced to turn to other countries asking for their support. Both Egypt and other countries, which the Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs has addressed, responded positively in terms of helping to evacuate Cypriots in Sudan.

However, in any case, a series of objective difficulties must be addressed, among which is the fact that not all Cypriots are concentrated in one place. Also, there is difficulty in moving from the points where they are and in approaching foreign aircraft, whereas convoys also face risks as was the case with the French convoy.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Konstantinos Kombos, had telephone conversations with his counterparts in France, Catherine Colonna, Britain, James Cleverly, and Egypt, Sameh Shukri. According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the contacts took place in the context of continuous mutual information and coordination with other countries, including EU partners, to manage the emerging situation. At the same time, coordination continues at the official level between the countries involved.

Also read: Cyprus | The National Crisis Management Model – Its Presentation at BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2023

As reported, the Crisis Management Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in continuous operation and coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Egypt, which is also accredited in Sudan.

At the same time, the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus are ready to activate, if and when needed, the Special National Plan ESTIA for the reception and repatriation of foreign citizens from the region in crisis through the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.

Konstantinos Kombos is also on an open line of communication with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, as Greece has the means and capabilities to organize a mission to evacuate its nationals from the region. The Greek Foreign Minister assured his Cypriot counterpart that there will be help for the evacuation of the Cypriots together with the Greek nationals in Sudan.

Also read: Sudan | “Yes” to a 24-hour truce by the paramilitaries – About 150 trapped Greeks