UK government begin evacuation operation to extract British nationals from Sudan

The UK government has confirmed evacuation flights to bring British citizens home from Sudan. The start of the flights was confirmed by foreign secretary James Cleverly.

The need for the evacuation operation comes as a result of escalating conflict between two warring factions in the country. Over 400 people are said to have been killed since the violence erupted earlier this month - there is however a 72-hour cease fire currently in place.

Flights are set to leave from a military airbase outside of Khartoum. These flights will be supported by foreign office diplomats.

在一条微博,聪明先生说:“我们已经开始反对tacting nationals directly and providing routes for departure out of the country."

The foreign office added: "Flights will be open to those with British passports and priority will be given to family groups with children and/or the elderly or individuals with medical conditions," the Foreign Office said.

"At this stage we will contact those who are eligible for evacuation directly and British nationals should not make their way to the airfield unless they are called."

It is estimated that there are around 4,000 British nationals in need of evacuation from Sudan. The UK ambassador to Sudan, Giles Lever, was not in the country when violence broke out.