177 Egyptian Air Force Troops Rescued from Sudan in Daring Airlift Operation

 

The Sudan army has announced that they have successfully airlifted back 177 Egyptian Air Force troops who were being held in the northern Sudanese town of Merowe by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Egyptians were evacuated from the northern town of Dongola via four Egyptian military planes. According to the Sudanese army, the Egyptians were in Sudan to participate in joint air force exercises.

Although the Egyptian military did not announce the evacuation, they had earlier said in a brief statement that they were coordinating with Sudanese authorities to secure the return of the troops. The RSF had shared a video that they claimed showed Egyptian troops who had "surrendered" to them in the northern town of Merowe, which is located about halfway between the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and the border with Egypt.

The video showed men dressed in army fatigues crouched on the ground and speaking to members of the RSF in an Egyptian Arabic dialect. After clashes erupted across Sudan between the RSF and the army on Saturday, tensions rose, and the safety of the Egyptian troops was at risk.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi assured the public that the country was in regular contact with the RSF to ensure the safety of the Egyptian soldiers. It's a relief that they were safely airlifted back to Egypt, but the situation is a reminder of the importance of diplomacy and communication between countries, especially when it comes to military exercises.

It's essential to remember that these troops were participating in a joint exercise, which means they were there to build relationships and strengthen ties between the two nations. It's unfortunate that tensions arose, but it's a testament to the importance of diplomacy in situations like these.

The successful airlifting of the 177 Egyptian Air Force troops is a welcome development in the ongoing situation between Sudan and Egypt. The situation highlights the importance of communication and diplomacy between nations, especially when it comes to military exercises. It's a relief that the troops were safely returned, and hopefully, this incident will serve as a reminder of the need for peaceful and productive relationships between nations.