Kabul: After the first group of Afghan refugees arrived in Jeddah on Friday, the chief spokesman of the Taliban government told Arab News that Afghanistan is appreciative of Saudi Arabia's assistance in evacuating its citizens from Sudan.
When fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on April 15, at least 120 Afghan citizens were trapped in Sudan, according to the Kabul Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Since then, despite a ceasefire that went into effect on Monday and was later extended through Sunday, more than 500 people have died and at least 4,200 have been injured in clashes.
Major airports have turned into battlefields, forcing the evacuation of foreign nationals by land to Saudi Arabia and by sea to neighbouring Egypt.
The nearly 2,800 people brought to safety by Saudi forces, who are leading rescue efforts, included Afghan evacuees who arrived from Port Sudan to Jeddah on Thursday.
In a statement, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "deep gratitude" to Saudi Arabia for its assistance. Zabihullah Mujahid, the head of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, noted that this was not the first time the country had provided crucial aid to the country.
Also Read: Sudanese NHS doctor turned down a UK rescue flight
"The Islamic Emirate's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has struggled mightily to free some Afghans who are imprisoned in Sudan. The safe evacuation of the remaining Afghans is also being worked on with Saudi Arabia's coordination, according to Mujahid for Arab News. Afghanistan and Afghans have always enjoyed support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We would like to thank it.
About 70 people, according to local media, made up the first wave of Afghan evacuees.
Also Read: France beefs up border security with 150 additional officers in response to the migrant surge
How many more were going to be brought back from Sudan was not immediately known by Afghan authorities. The foreign ministry reported that it was still working on it.
