Sudan evacuation plane is SHOT as it lands at Khartoum

A Turkish evacuation plane was fired upon by paramilitary forces in Sudan as it landed in the capital Khartoum today, damaging fuel supplies.

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fired on the plane at Wadi Saeedna airbase, the army said, as a sign of how dangerous the situation is for those racing to evacuate civilians from the war-torn country.

The plane landed safely after paramilitary forces opened fire and is being repaired, the Sudanese army said.

Earlier reports claimed a crew member was injured in the attack, but Turkey’s defense ministry said there were no injuries and confirmed that the plane had been fired on.

The RSF denied firing at the plane and said the military was “spreading lies”, adding: “Our forces have remained strictly committed to the humanitarian ceasefire we have agreed since midnight, and it is not true that we are on a plane into the sky. from Wadi Seyidna in Omdurman.’

Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fired on the plane (pictured) at Wadi Saeedna airbase, the army said

The plane managed to land safely after paramilitary forces opened fire and is being repaired (pictured), the Sudanese army said

Earlier reports claimed a crew member was injured in the attack, but Turkey’s defense ministry said there were no injuries, while confirming that the plane had been fired on.

Thousands of desperate civilians – including about 3,000 Britons – are scrambling to board the last evacuation planes from the capital before the fragile ceasefire expires in 72 hours.

But with massive explosions and gunfire shaking parts of the capital – and with evacuation planes being fired on – the situation has become even more desperate for those still trapped in Sudan.

There are no indications that evacuation flights will be halted due to the renewed threat of violence on the airstrip, but Secretary of State James Cleverly yesterday urged the British to leave while they still can.

He warned that if clashes between the warring factions became too dangerous for evacuation flights to take the British to safety, the mission could become “impossible”.

So far, 897 Britons – many of them young children – have been safely evacuated to Cyprus and now the UK on eight flights as the government scrambles to evacuate thousands of Britons before the opportunity expires.

Somehow they survived the nightmarish journey through the violent streets of Khartoum to reach the British troops waiting for them at Wadi Saeedna airbase – all without a British military escort.

But there are concerns for the safety of those still trapped in the war-torn country. Airstrikes, tanks and artillery shook Khartoum – the site of the most violence – on Friday and a heavy bombardment hit the neighboring town of Bahri, illustrating how hopeless the situation has become.

Turkish citizens gather to be evacuated from Sudan with another military plane at Wadi Seidna Air Base after the previous plane was fired on

A damaged car and buildings are seen in the central market during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in North Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday

Fighters ride in the back of an engineering vehicle (pickup with a gun turret) in the East Nile district of Khartoum on April 23

Around 900 British citizens have been safely evacuated from Sudan, with more than half reportedly now back in the UK. Pictured: A British man raises his hand as he arrives at Stansted airport on Thursday after being evacuated from Sudan

British nationals board an RAF aircraft in Sudan, for evacuation to Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus on Wednesday

Pictured: British nationals board an RAF aircraft in Sudan for evacuation to Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus on Wednesday

With continued ceasefire violations, heavy gunfire and explosions have rocked residential areas of the capital region, where fighting has concentrated over the past week.

“The situation this morning is very scary. We hear the sound of airplanes and explosions. We don’t know when this hell will end,” said Bahri resident Mahasin al-Awad, 65.

“We are constantly afraid for ourselves and our children.”

The escalation of violence between the warring factions came hours after both sides accepted a 72-hour extension of the ceasefire.

At least 512 people have been killed and nearly 4,200 injured in the fighting since April 15, and a humanitarian crisis has ensued.

Britons have described seeing thieves and murderers roaming the streets of the capital, while the corpses of civilians killed in fighting between warring factions lay on the ground in scenes that have been compared to the horror film The Purge.

They spoke of buildings on fire, residential areas turned into battlefields, and youths roaming around with big knives.