Iran thanks KSA for assisting Sudan evacuation
Iran has thanked Saudi Arabia for helping its citizens escape the conflict in Sudan after dozens arrived by boat in Jeddah.
The 65 Iranians were among about 1,900 people ferried to safety from Port Sudan on Saturday as fighting between rival Sudanese forces entered a third week.
Hassan Zarnegar Abarghoui, one of four Iranian diplomats waiting to receive the citizens at the King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah, said late Saturday that his government was grateful for the “humanitarian co-operation” shown by the Saudi authorities.
Merhdad Malekzadh, a 28-year-old Iranian who had lived in Khartoum since he was a child, said no one had expected the fighting to become so intense, and his escape had also been a surprise.
“Because of our nationality, we had never imagined we would come to Saudi Arabia when we were evacuated,” said Mr Malekzadh, whose family runs an oil lubricant business in the Sudanese capital.
“Fortunately, they really helped us. They put their differences aside and worked together. They saved lives.”