AL-MUKALLA: Two Saudi navy vessels successfully transported 450 Yemeni evacuees from the Red Sea city of Port Sudan to Jeddah Islamic Port on Sunday, marking the largest number of Yemeni citizens rescued since the Saudi evacuation operation commenced. However, despite this significant progress, hundreds of Yemenis still find themselves stranded in Port Sudan.
The Yemeni Embassy in Sudan expressed deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia, the Yemeni government, the Yemeni Emergency Committee, and all those involved in the evacuation efforts.
In a social media statement, the embassy acknowledged their appreciation for the tireless work carried out to facilitate the evacuation process.
Since April 15, when clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Military Forces, thousands of Yemenis have been left stranded.
Many Yemenis who managed to escape Khartoum safely have sought refuge in overcrowded shelters in Port Sudan, enduring dire conditions while waiting for rescue operations to be conducted by their government.
Worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan
Those stranded in Port Sudan have highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis, including inadequate health services, limited access to food and money, and the uncomfortable situation of being packed into just two banquet halls.
Although the departure of the 450 Yemenis brings some relief, there are still over 2,000 individuals awaiting their turn to be evacuated.
The Yemeni Emergency Committee, responsible for coordinating evacuations, has received new calls for help from individuals residing in conflict-affected areas who have now decided to flee.
Student activist Afif Al-Barashi, speaking to Arab News, emphasized that many Yemeni families residing in and around Khartoum had initially chosen to stay there due to the absence of battles in their areas.
However, the ongoing conflict, high cost of living, and limited services have prompted them to seek evacuation. Yemenia Airways will begin airlifting evacuees from Jeddah to the port city of Aden in Yemen.
Tragically, a Yemeni mother and her daughter lost their lives in a car accident while attempting to escape from Khartoum to Port Sudan, Al-Barashi revealed.
Meanwhile, Yemeni evacuees who arrived early aboard Saudi ships in Jeddah were transported by road to Aden and Marib.
On Saturday, the chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council instructed the airline to arrange rescue flights from Port Sudan to Yemen. Additionally, the government has been urged to facilitate the sea transport of more stranded citizens to Yemen.
The ongoing efforts to evacuate Yemeni nationals stranded in Port Sudan are crucial in providing them with a lifeline and ensuring their safety amid the escalating conflict and dire living conditions.
