Latest evacuation flights carrying Britons from Sudan expected to land in Cyprus – as UK troops prepare to run Khartoum airfield

The latest flights carrying British nationals from Sudan are expected to arrive in Cyprus on Wednesday morning, as UK troops prepare to take over the running of the airfield near Khartoum.

Three planes were due to have left conflict-torn Khartoum for Cyprus by Wednesday morning, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledging “many more” would follow as he warned of a “critical” 24 hours.

The first flight landed at Larnaca airport on Tuesday evening with around 40 people on board and two more flights carrying around 220 people were expected overnight.

The UK will take over from German forces running the Wadi Saeedna airstrip near Khartoum today, according to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

He said 120 British troops have already been supporting the operation there.

A 72-hour ceasefire is currently under way between the two rival military groups battling for power in Sudan.

Clashes between the Sudanese military and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in the capital began 11 days ago and has left Sudanese citizens trapped, as foreign governments scramble to evacuate their citizens.

The prime minister has defended the UK’s approach against criticism that it is failing those stuck in Khartoum, saying it was “right” that diplomats were prioritised “because they were being targeted”.

Around 4,000 UK nationals have been stranded in the east African country after heavy fighting broke out.

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British passport holders are being urged to make their way to the airfield where priority will be given to the most vulnerable, with more than 2,000 citizens having registered in Sudan with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Mr Sunak said he could not “guarantee” the long-term safety of the air route being used given the volatility of the ceasefire, but other options were being considered.

The defence secretary earlier said Royal Marines were scoping out a possible seaborne evacuation from the more “benign environment” of Port Sudan, some 500 miles from the capital.

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Germany, Italy, Spain and France are among those that have already rescued hundreds of people from dozens of countries on their own flights.

At least 459 people have died and over 4,000 have been wounded since the fighting erupted. Food and fuel prices have soared and hospitals destroyed, amid warnings of a humanitarian crisis in the country.

According to the British Red Cross, hospitals in Khartoum are “quickly running out” of food, water, first aid and beds while staff are facing electricity cuts and lack enough stretchers.

Sam Turner, head of the east and southern African regions for the charity, said the humanitarian situation in the country was “desperate” even before the conflict and the situation “will become catastrophic”.