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There are understood to be around 4,000 British passport holders in Sudan – as foreign secretary James Cleverly warned the UK government is “severely limited” in its ability to help British nationals until the conflict there ends.

It comes after diplomats and staff in Sudan have been evacuated by governments around the world as rival generals battle for a ninth day with no sign of a truce that had been declared for a major Muslim holiday.

While world powers including the US and the UK airlifted their diplomats from the capital of Khartoum, Sudanese citizens have desperately tried to flee the chaos, with many of them risking dangerous roads to cross the northern border in Egypt.

Fighting has raged in Omdurman, a city across the Nile River from Khartoum, according to residents, despite a hoped-for ceasefire to coincide with the three-day Muslim holiday of Eid al Fitr.

More than 420 people, including 246 civilians, have been killed while over 3,700 have been injured in a bloody conflict between the Sudanese army and a powerful paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces.

The RSF claimed the armed forces unleashed air strikes on the upscale area of Kafouri, north of Khartoum.

Andrew Mitchell, the UK minister for International Development and Africa, told Sky News’s Kay Burley this morning that there is a “situation of chaos and enormous violence in Sudan”, adding that the “absolute number one requirement is to get a ceasefire”.

More on Sudan

He said: “We will do everything we can and I mean everything to get our British citizens out.”

Mr Mitchell said that an “extremely successful but complicated operation was conducted yesterday morning which got the diplomats out”.

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‘We will do everything we can’

“We have a specific duty of care for the diplomats, but I must stress that these diplomats were in acute danger because the guns were on either side of the British embassy and the British residence, and we got them out as fast as we could, as did the Americans get their diplomats out.”

He said that the focus is now on getting British citizens out of Sudan.

“Since we went into 24/7 crisis mode on the Sudan situation and tension always has been to facilitate the exit of our own citizens as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Asked how that could happen, he said: “All I can tell you is that every single option is being explored in detail and the moment that it is possible to change the travel advice and move them, we will.”

Read more:
Which countries have evacuated their citizens from Sudan?
How elite team of British troops evacuated UK diplomats from warzone capital
British-Sudanese woman trapped by deadly clashes in Khartoum tells of harrowing ordeal

In this image provided by the French Armed Forces, military personnel load belongings of evacuees onto a plane at the airport in Khartoum
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In this image provided by the French Armed Forces, military personnel load belongings of evacuees onto a plane at the airport in Khartoum

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly chaired a sixth Sudan Cobra session on Sunday night to discuss the “escalation” of violence in the African nation.

Mr Cleverly said the government remained “absolutely committed to supporting” Britons in the country, but he said that until a ceasefire is reached, ministers were “severely limited in our ability to provide assistance to British nationals”.

Senior opposition MPs said they are “deeply concerned” about the welfare of British nationals still in Sudan.

Irish citizens who remain in Ireland have been urged to stay indoors, with Micheal Martin saying that further information will be communicated to them on airlift operations.

“This will take some days,” the Tanaiste and foreign affairs minister said.

“I think we’re pleased with the initial outcome in the last 24 hours but it is something that’s very, very fluid, and bear in mind that the conflict is a ferocious one.”

Violence affects operations at airports

The ongoing violence has impacted operations at the main international airport, destroying civilian planes and damaging at least one runway, with thick, black smoke rising above it. Other airports have also been forced out of operation.

Smoke is seen rise from buildings during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan. April 22, 2023. REUTERS/ Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo
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Smoke is seen rising from buildings during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum

US special forces swiftly evacuated 70 US Embassy workers from Khartoum to Ethiopia on Sunday following a week of battles that hindered rescues.

Other countries have also managed to remove their citizens as well as their diplomats despite American officials saying it was too dangerous for a government-coordinated evacuation of thousands of private citizens.

Meanwhile, France and Italy said they would accommodate all their citizens who wish to leave, along with those from other countries who could not otherwise join an evacuation operation.

Officials said President Emmanuel Macron and his foreign minister were given security guarantees by both sides for the evacuation.

In this image provided by the Italian Defence Ministry, military personnel evacuate people from the airport in Khartoum
Image:
In this image provided by the Italian Defence Ministry, military personnel evacuate people from the airport in Khartoum

On Sunday, two French flights took off from Khartoum to Djibouti, carrying around 2,000 passengers from various countries, with more planned for today.

While Germany’s foreign ministry said a military plane carrying 101 German diplomatic staff, family members and citizens of partner countries who were evacuated from Sudan via Jordan had landed safely in Berlin.

Italian citizens are boarded on an Italian Air Force C130 aircraft during their evacuation from Khartoum, Sudan, in this undated photo obtained by Reuters on April 24, 2023. Ministero della Difesa/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO ARCHIVES. NO RESALES.
Image:
Italian citizens are boarded on an Italian Air Force C130 aircraft during their evacuation from Khartoum
Italian citizens are boarded on an Italian Air Force C130 aircraft during their evacuation from Khartoum, Sudan, in this undated photo obtained by Reuters on April 24, 2023. Ministero della Difesa/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO ARCHIVES. NO RESALES.

An Italian air force C-130 that left Khartoum with evacuees landed Sunday night at an air base in Djibouti and around 100 people were flown out of Khartoum by Spanish military aircraft including 30 Spaniards – with the rest from Portugal, Italy, Poland, Ireland, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and Argentina, the foreign ministry said.

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The plane took off from Khartoum airport and evacuated over 100 Italians to Djibouti.

And Jordanian officials said four planes landed at Amman military airport carrying 343 evacuees from Port Sudan, while other flights from Sudan were organised by Greece and the Netherlands.

Poland and the Netherlands have also begun evacuating their citizens.

Last week, militants attacked a US Embassy convoy and stormed the EU ambassador’s home.

Jordanians evacuated form Sudan arrive to a military airport in Amman, Jordan, Monday, April 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)
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Jordanians evacuated form Sudan arrive to a military airport in Amman, Jordan
Jordanians evacuated from Sudan arrive at a military airport in Amman, Jordan

The power struggle between the Sudanese military, headed by Gen Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the RSF, led by Gen Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has dealt a harsh blow to Sudan’s hopes for a democratic transition.

The rival generals rose to power following a pro-democracy uprising which prompted the removal of the former strongman, Mr al-Bashir. The generals joined forces to seize power in a coup in 2021.

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Israel’s cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal

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Israel's cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal

Israel’s full cabinet has approved the Gaza ceasefire deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has said.

It comes after Israel’s security cabinet recommended the deal be approved earlier on Friday. The truce is likely to begin on Sunday.

According to reports 24 ministers voted in favour of the accord and voted against it.

An Israel government statement said: “The government has approved the outline for the return of the abductees.

“The outline for the release of the abductees will enter into force on Sunday, 19 January, 2025.”

In its first stage, the deal would see 33 of the 98 hostages freed over the course of six weeks. About half of the 98 are believed to be alive.

The remainder are to be released in a second phase that will be negotiated during the first.

Hamas has said it won’t release everyone without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.

Between 990 and 1,650 Palestinian prisoners and detainees will be released in exchange, depending on the number of hostages freed.

Hostages' families in Tel Aviv on 17 January. Pic: Reuters
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Hostages’ families in Tel Aviv on 17 January. Pic: Reuters

Hardliners in Israel’s coalition government have criticised the deal as giving in to Hamas and security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to resign if it was approved.

However, he said he wouldn’t bring down the government.

The ceasefire has been long in the works and there have been false dawns, but on Wednesday a deal was done after mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the US.

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Large blasts continue over Gaza

Read more:
What does Gaza ceasefire say?
What do Israelis think of the deal?

Israel has continued strikes on Gaza in the meantime, and Palestinian officials said 86 people were killed the day after the agreement was unveiled.

More than 46,000 people have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza – mostly women and children – according to officials there.

Around 1,200 were murdered in Israel – alongside more than 250 who were kidnapped – in the October 2023 Hamas terror attack that started the war.

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How the war has destroyed Gaza

Israel has said it wants to wipe out the group and that it has killed some 17,000 of its fighters.

However, it has been accused of not doing enough to protect civilians – claims it denies – in a war that has devastated Gaza, displaced hundreds of thousands and left many starving.

The World Health Organisation has said it should be possible to dramatically increase Gaza aid to about 600 trucks a day under the deal.

An average of 51 entered in early January, according to UN data.

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Qatar’s PM says Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal is ‘last chance for Gaza’

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Qatar's PM says Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal is 'last chance for Gaza'

The ceasefire deal is “the last chance for Gaza”, Qatar’s prime minister has said, adding: “Failure is not an option.”

In an exclusive interview with Sky News’ Yalda Hakim, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani warned that “peace won’t happen” if there is not a Palestinian state.

He also criticised parties for the time it took to reach a deal.

Qatar has been one of the key mediators between Israel and Hamas in the more than 15 months since the renewed conflict erupted.

Mr al Thani told Sky News: “What we have reached with this deal is the last chance for Gaza. To save Gaza from this war this is our last chance.

“When we talk about peace in general, peace won’t happen without a Palestinian state at the end of the day. To address the root cause of the issue and not to just address the symptoms of the issue.”

Gaza ceasefire agreement latest: Israel’s security cabinet recommends approving deal

Qatar's prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani speaks to Yalda Hakim
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Qatar’s prime minister spoke to Yalda Hakim

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Asked what the consequences of the ceasefire deal collapsing would be, he said: “Failure is not an option. That’s what all of us should aspire to.

“If it fails we will not give up we will make sure it is rehashed again and the parties are adhering to that.”

Mr al Thani said Qatar’s role was as “guarantor and mediators” and that they would make sure the deal is delivered.

He talked about creating a “safety net” for any issues to be resolved before the deal “explodes”.

Qatar’s prime minister also criticised the negotiating parties for the time it took to agree a deal, saying that it was the same framework agreed upon in December 2023.

“Which is basically 13-months of a waste of negotiating the details that has no meaning and is not worth a single life that we lost in Gaza or a single life of the hostages lost because of the bombing.”

Read more:
Iraqi PM frustrated with West’s ‘failures’ over Gaza
The British families of hostages waiting for news

He also touched on US president-elect Donald Trump, who he said could “create a greater impact for the region”.

Commenting on how the incoming administration has operated during negotiations, he said: “I believe if this continues to be the attitude and approach for the next four years, we can create a lot of good things for the region.”

Elaborating on the need for a Palestinian state next to an Israeli state, he said: “That’s what we are aiming for.

“And I believe this moment we count on the wisdom of the leadership of the world. To really push for a solution at the end to the day.”

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Israel’s security cabinet recommends approving Gaza ceasefire deal

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Israel's security cabinet recommends approving Gaza ceasefire deal

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a deal with Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and prisoners.

It will now go to the full cabinet for final sign-off, with a meeting said to be scheduled for this afternoon.

A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said approval came “after examining all political, security and humanitarian aspects” and with the understanding it “supports the achievement of the war’s goals”.

Live – Gaza ceasefire agreement latest

If passed, the truce could begin on Sunday.

In its first stage, the deal would see 33 of the 98 hostages freed over the course of six weeks. About half of the 98 are believed to be alive.

The remainder are to be released in a second phase that will be negotiated during the first.

Hamas has said it won’t release everyone without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.

Between 990 and 1,650 Palestinian prisoners and detainees will be released in exchange, depending on the number of hostages freed.

Hostages' families in Tel Aviv on 17 January. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Hostages’ families in Tel Aviv on 17 January. Pic: Reuters

Hardliners in Israel’s coalition government have criticised the deal as giving in to Hamas and security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to resign if it was approved.

However, he said he wouldn’t bring down the government and ministers are expected to approve it.

The ceasefire has been long in the works and there have been false dawns, but on Wednesday a deal was done after mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the US.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Large blasts continue over Gaza

Read more:
What does Gaza ceasefire say?
What do Israelis think of the deal?

Israel has continued strikes on Gaza in the meantime, and Palestinian officials said 86 people were killed the day after the agreement was unveiled.

More than 46,000 people have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza – mostly women and children – according to officials there.

Around 1,200 were murdered in Israel – alongside more than 250 who were kidnapped – in the October 2023 Hamas terror attack that started the war.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

How the war has destroyed Gaza

Israel has said it wants to wipe out the group and that it’s killed some 17,000 of its fighters.

However, it’s been accused of not doing enough to protect civilians – claims it denies – in a war that’s devastated Gaza, displaced hundreds of thousands and left many starving.

The World Health Organisation has said it should be possible to dramatically increase Gaza aid to about 600 trucks a day under the deal.

An average of 51 entered in early January, according to UN data.

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