Tensions rise with Germany over Sudan evacuation

Tensions with Germany over Sudan were underlined today after British forces were accused of landing in Khartoum unannounced and ‘dangerously’.

Berlin sources have hit out over the behaviour of the RAF during the frantic evacuation, highlighting an episode at the Wadi Seidna air base on Tuesday.

Allies on the ground were apparently not notified about the arrival of the C-130J Hercules, resulting in a ‘very dangerous’ landing.

Another source told The Times the German government was ‘very unhappy’ about Britain’s ‘lack of solidarity’. 

It comes after the German Foreign Minister swiped at the UK for leaving citizens ‘to their own devices’ amid the violence. 

However, British officials have hit back, arguing that German forces were not in control of the airfield at the time, and French and South African soldiers were informed.

German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock (left) swiped at the UK earlier this week she would not leave citizens ‘to their own devices’. But Suella Braverman (right) said Britain was in a ‘very different situation’  

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: ‘It is untrue to describe this week’s operations as anything other than highly co-ordinated and co-operative, particularly with our German partners.

‘From the German officers working with UK counterparts on the operation from Cyprus, to UK and German colleagues working at the airfield in Sudan, there has been a spirit of professional and mutual assistance. That co-operation reflects close working with other international partners.’

The spat comes as Sudanese army has agreed to extend ceasefire by a further 72 hours to allow more civilians to leave the conflict area.

So far, 897 British citizens have been safely evacuated from Sudan, with over half reportedly now back in the UK.

Brits who are still trapped in the war-torn nation had previously been told they had just hours left to cross dangerous Khartoum before the first 72 hour ceasefire ended.

Hundreds of people have been killed in the capital in nearly two weeks of conflict between the army and a rival paramilitary force – the Rapid Support Forces.

Around 450 British nationals, including women with small children and elderly in wheelchairs, evacuated from Sudan have been pictured at Stansted Airport as they were reunited with relatives and loved ones.

In pointed comments earlier this week, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said she would not leave citizens ‘to their own devices’.

She said ‘unlike in other countries’, Berlin’s evacuation had included all nationals rather than just embassy staff.

Ms Braverman said she ‘refuted’ the suggestion. ‘We are in a very different situation to other countries. We have got a larger cohort of British nationals in Sudan compared to other countries.’ 

The race is on to evacuate as many of the 4,000 British civilians trapped in Sudan as possible before the 72-hour ceasefire ends tomorrow