Canada’s Defense Minister Anita Anand announced Thursday the completion of her country’s first military flight out of war-torn Sudan, carrying evacuees.
Few details were immediately shared, but Anand told a news conference in Nova Scotia province — home to Canada’s Atlantic navy fleet — “a first Canadian evacuation flight from Sudan has taken place using an RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) CC-130 Hercules aircraft.”
She said the airlift brought more than 180 the total number of Canadians who have fled Sudan since fighting erupted between the country’s army and a paramilitary force. Dozens previously hitched a ride out of the country aboard allies’ flights.
Efforts are ongoing “to ensure the maximum number of Canadians can be evacuated as soon as possible,” Anand said, with additional evacuations planned “over the next number of days.”
Out of 1,800 Canadians in Sudan registered with Canada’s foreign ministry, 700 have requested help leaving the country, according to officials. Most of them are in the capital Khartoum.
After facing criticisms over its slow response, Ottawa deployed 200 troops to the region to assist with evacuations, along with two military transport aircraft and two warships.
“There are a number of challenges on the ground given the very volatile situation in Sudan,” said Anand, including securing landing spots amid a surge of evacuation flights.
Canadian military planners are considering alternatives to airlifts, she said but warned also that travel by land or sea “may pose additional risks.”
Meanwhile, Ottawa introduced this week new immigration measures to allow Sudanese temporary residents currently in Canada and unable to return home due to the fighting to stay longer.
The Canadian government said it would also prioritize the processing of temporary and permanent residence applications that have already been filed by people in Sudan.