Turkey's evacuation plane comes under fire in Sudan

Fighting continues in Sudan despite several cease-fires efforts and mediation by Turkey and others.
Plumes of smoke rise on the horizon in an area east of Khartoum as fighting continues between Sudan's army and the paramilitary forces, on April 28, 2023. - Fighting raged in Sudan, despite rival forces agreeing to extend a truce aimed to stem nearly two weeks of warfare that has killed hundreds and caused widespread destruction. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
Plumes of smoke rise on the horizon in an area east of Khartoum as fighting continues between Sudan's army and the paramilitary forces, on April 28, 2023. - AFP via Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

Sudan’s military accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of shooting at a Turkish evacuation plane on Friday, while the rebel paramilitary group denied the accusation.

The Sudanese armed forces said “rebels” fired at a Turkish C-130 plane as it was nearing the Wadi Seidna airport north of the capital Khartoum to evacuate Turkish citizens. The plane was damaged and one crew member was injured, according to the official Sudan News Agency.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed on Twitter that its aircraft sustained gunfire at the airport. The ministry said there were no injuries.

Turkey Defense Minister Hulusi Akar later told reporters that Turkey had dispatched two planes to Sudan for the evacuations. One of them returned while the plane that sustained gunfire is being assessed for damage. He repeated that there were no casualties and that evacuations will continue. 

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