On a Thursday in late April, Canada sent its own aircraft into the sky over a country tearing itself apart, pulling people out of a war that had turned the streets of Khartoum into a place no one could safely cross. Canadians, along with citizens of allied nations, boarded Royal Canadian Air Force Hercules planes, leaving behind a city where hospitals had fallen silent and neighbourhoods had become battlefields. For the government, this was the first step in building its own means of rescue, after months of relying on other nations' efforts, and it marked a recognition that the danger of overl
Canada Airlifts Over 100 From Sudan in First Evacuation Operation as Conflict Escalates
The Sudanese army and RSF conflict has killed hundreds, knocked out hospitals, and turned residential areas into war zones, leaving many foreign nationals needing evacuation.
Roughly 118 flown out; at least 700 Canadians have asked for help
Mark
Why does this first flight matter when 180 Canadians were already out?
Mimi
Those 180 left with other countries' help. Thursday was Canada running its own operation, with its own aircraft, and that gives it control over the pace.
Mark
And the pace is the issue.
Mimi
Yes. About 1,800 Canadians are in Sudan and at least 700 have asked for help. Most are in Khartoum, where the fighting is worst.
Luke
Careful with those numbers, though. The 700 is those who requested assistance, not a count of who is in danger or who wants to leave. And the 1,800 is a figure the government gave; the report doesn't say how it was reached.
Mimi
Fair. And the flights tally is about 118 people, but not all were Canadian. Only the first flight's roughly 45 Canadians is specified.
Mark
Why not go by road or sea?
Mimi
Anand said those routes would significantly increase exposure to risk, especially from Khartoum.
Luke
That's her assessment. The report doesn't give detail on the routes or conditions, so we can't test it.
Mark
What's still unknown?
Luke
How many more flights, when, and how many people they can take. The officials said planning is underway, not that dates are set.
Le Pouls
- Two RCAF Hercules flights pulled more than 100 people out of Sudan in a single day, the first evacuation Canada has run on its own.
- Roughly 700 Canadians have asked for help, while about 1,800 remain in the country, most of them in Khartoum where the fighting is heaviest.
- Ground and sea routes out of the capital were judged too dangerous, so the army is turning to aircraft and deploying about 200 troops to coordinate the escapes.
- Further extractions are planned in the coming days, and the gap between the people flown out and those still waiting will decide whether the operation can keep pace.
On a Thursday in late April, Canada sent its own aircraft into the sky over a country tearing itself apart, pulling people out of a war that had turned the streets of Khartoum into a place no one could safely cross. Canadians, along with citizens of allied nations, boarded Royal Canadian Air Force Hercules planes, leaving behind a city where hospitals had fallen silent and neighbourhoods had become battlefields. For the government, this was the first step in building its own means of rescue, after months of relying on other nations' efforts, and it marked a recognition that the danger of overland or sea routes made the air the only practical way home for those who had asked for help.
On Thursday, a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130 Hercules lifted off from Sudan carrying people who had spent days waiting for a way out. Defence Minister Anita Anand confirmed the flight at a news conference in Nova Scotia, and by evening a second aircraft had followed. Together they carried more than 100 people, including Canadians and citizens of allied nations, and officials said both flights went without incident. Those on board were first taken to a third location, from where they could continue home.
This was Canada's first evacuation flight of its own from the country, though not the first Canadians to leave. About 180 had already escaped with help from other governments while Ottawa worked to build its own capacity. The urgency comes from a conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that has killed hundreds, knocked out hospitals and turned residential neighbourhoods into war zones.
The need is large. Roughly 1,800 Canadians are in Sudan, and at least 700 have requested help, most of them in Khartoum, where RSF fighters have embedded themselves among civilians. Anand said that moving people out of the capital by road or sea would expose them to danger for much longer, which is why the government chose the air. Troops and aircraft are being positioned to keep the operation going. Whether more flights follow in the coming days will show how far the work can reach.
On Thursday, a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130 Hercules carried people out of Sudan on Canada's first evacuation flight of its own from the country. Defence Minister Anita Anand confirmed it at a news conference in Enfield, Nova Scotia. By the end of the day, two flights had left, carrying more than 100 people in all.
The first flight held about 45 Canadians, along with citizens of allied countries. A second flight a few hours later carried 73 people. Officials said both went off without incident, and the Canadian armed forces are already planning more extractions in the coming days. The evacuees were first taken to a third location, from which they can return to their home countries.
The flights are the first of Canada's own operation, but not the first Canadians to get out. About 180 Canadians had already left Sudan with help from other countries, while the federal government worked to build its own means of extracting civilians. On Wednesday the Canadian defence ministry said it was deploying about 200 troops and positioning two C-130 Hercules aircraft to coordinate evacuations.
The urgency comes from the fighting. The conflict between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, has killed hundreds of people, knocked out hospitals and turned residential neighborhoods into war zones. Governments around the world have rushed to pull out their diplomats and citizens.
The number still waiting is large. Roughly 1,800 Canadians are in Sudan, and at least 700 of them have asked the Canadian government for help. Most are in Khartoum, the capital, where much of the fighting is concentrated and where RSF fighters have embedded themselves in residential areas.
That geography shapes the choice of method. Anand said that trying to evacuate Canadians from Khartoum by ground or by sea would significantly increase the time they would be exposed to risk. That is part of the case for airlifts. "Planning is occurring as we speak," she told reporters, to get the maximum number of Canadians out as soon as possible.
The gap between the roughly 118 people flown out Thursday and the 700 who have requested help gives a rough measure of the work ahead. The next sign will be whether further flights follow in the coming days, as the armed forces have said they are planning.
Citations marquantes
I can confirm that a first Canadian evacuation flight from Sudan has taken place using an RCAF CC-130 Hercules aircraft.— Defence Minister Anita Anand
Planning is occurring as we speak to ensure the maximum number of Canadians can be evacuated as soon as possible.— Defence Minister Anita Anand
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