Sudan begins evacuation of nationals from S. Sudan

Sudan on Friday started evacuation of thousands of its nationals from the troubled South Sudan, and 76 Sudanese citizens, most of them children, women and the elderly, have arrived at Khartoum airport.

"This is the first batch and we focused on children, women and elderly people," Jamal Mahmoud, state minister of Sudan's Council of Ministers, told reporters.

"We will organize four flights daily to evacuate three thousand Sudanese nationals willing to return from Juba, the capital of South Sudan, and other cities," he noted.

Last week, violent clashes broke out between forces loyal to South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar respectively around the Presidential Palace in Juba.

The clashes later spread to adjacent neighborhoods and places near the airport.

The United Nations reported that the clashes involved mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and heavy ground assault weaponry. A helicopter gunship was also reported above Juba.

Though the two sides have declared a cease-fire, the UN warned that fighting could break out again in South Sudan. Endit