Egypt: Security Forces Free Egyptians ‘Kidnapped' by RSF in Sudan
Egyptian media reported on Thursday that security forces, in coordination with Sudanese authorities, successfully freed a group of Egyptians who had been 'kidnapped' by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.
According to an informed Egyptian source who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, the freed Egyptians, who have since returned to Egypt following an operation conducted under the 'directives of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi,' were traders working in Khartoum. They had been detained by the RSF in areas under its control since last year.
The source clarified that their release was secured through 'security arrangements with Sudanese authorities, without any direct Egyptian security intervention on the ground.'
As reported by Egypt's Middle East News Agency, the Egyptian-Sudanese coordination led to the successful 'transfer of the freed Egyptians from conflict zones in central Khartoum to Port Sudan,' before their return to Egypt.
The source also revealed that the Egyptians had initially 'refused voluntary repatriation when the internal conflict erupted in Sudan in mid-April 2023, fearing the loss of their businesses.'
According to Egyptian local media, the number of freed individuals was seven, all from Fayoum (south of Cairo), who had been living in Sudan and engaged in the trade of household goods.
The source explained that 'RSF control over Khartoum led to the seizure of properties belonging to Sudanese citizens and foreign nationals, including Egyptians.'
He noted that 'the kidnapped group was among a small number of Egyptians who chose to remain in Sudan despite the outbreak of war, refusing to join the voluntary repatriation initiative.'
Since the war began in Sudan, the Egyptian government has facilitated the return of approximately 10,000 citizens through air, land, and sea bridges, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Egyptian military expert Major General Samir Farag confirmed that the release of the detainees was achieved through 'understandings and communications between Egypt's security and sovereign agencies and their Sudanese counterparts, rather than through a direct Egyptian security operation inside Sudanese territory.'
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