Special Forces Rescue Mission To Sudan

12 crack soldiers to airlift 150 Irish citizens France & Spain help Rangers amid conflict

-  FERGHAL BLANEY

UP to 12 special forces soldiers are working to evacuate around 150 Irish citizens from Sudan after heavy fighting erupted over the weekend.

Foreign Minister Micheal Martin, yesterday confirmed 50 people have already been moved to the safer country of Djibouti, away from the main fighting in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

While a ceasefire was announced last night, the development will not alter the plans.

As we do not have the capability yet, Irish Rangers are receiving support from France and Spain in the airlift operations. Two specialist aircraft have been ordered but will not be delivered until June and September.

Ex-Irish Rangers officer and TD for Kildare Cathal Berry criticised the sparse resources that means we have to rely on allies.

The Irish contingent in Sudan are also receiving support from an Emergency Civil Assistance Team unit from the Department of Foreign Affairs who are now in Djibouti.

Mr Martin was speaking from the EU Foreign Affairs Council, where he gave an update on the repatriation process.

He said: "About 50 Irish citizens were evacuated since yesterday from Khartoum to Djibouti with the support of France and Spain.