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Türkiye is sending firefighting materials and equipment to help extinguish fires that have been burning for five days in Port Sudan, the temporary capital of Sudan, following attacks on fuel depots that began on May 5.
The assistance comes as the eastern Sudanese city faces its sixth consecutive day of drone attacks.
Türkiye's Ambassador to Khartoum, Fatih Yildiz, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that they have been in communication with Sudanese authorities since the fires began and prepared firefighting materials and equipment following requests from local officials.
"The materials, including firefighting foam, hoses, protective clothing, and gas masks, will soon arrive in Port Sudan," Yildiz said, adding that the supplies were provided by Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the General Directorate of Forestry.
Ambassador Yildiz expressed that Türkiye and the Turkish people are deeply saddened by the fires, stating, "We provided these materials with the same sensitivity and speed as if the fires had occurred in a Turkish city. We will continue to stand by Sudan as we always have."
According to Anadolu Agency correspondents and eyewitnesses, Port Sudan was targeted by drone attacks early Friday for the sixth consecutive day. Witnesses reported seeing plumes of smoke rising from areas near the port along the Red Sea, while Sudanese army air defenses responded with heavy anti-aircraft fire.
The Sudanese Energy and Petroleum Ministry announced on May 5 that "terrorist attacks" had targeted strategic depots in Port Sudan, located in the eastern part of the country. The statement indicated that firefighting efforts were continuing to control the blaze, which began at kerosene depots and later spread to other fuel-filled storage facilities.
On Thursday, the city was hit by two drone attacks, both intercepted by the army's air defenses.
Since Sunday, the temporary capital has experienced repeated drone strikes targeting both civilian and military sites, igniting fires at oil depots and a power station.
Sudanese authorities on Tuesday accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of being behind the drone strikes on fuel depots at the southern port, Port Sudan Airport, and a local power facility. The RSF has not commented on these allegations.
The RSF has been battling the Sudanese army for control of the country since April 2023, resulting in thousands of deaths and creating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. According to the UN and local authorities, more than 20,000 people have been killed and 15 million displaced.
However, research from US scholars suggests the death toll may be around 130,000.
In light of deteriorating security conditions, Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its Dec. 27, 2023, travel advisory for Sudan, recommending that Turkish citizens avoid traveling to Sudan unless absolutely necessary and advising those already in the country to exercise caution.
"Those for whom it is not essential to remain in Sudan are advised to leave the country via the limited number of commercial flights still operating from Port Sudan, or by land or sea routes, depending on their location, using the fastest and safest means available," the ministry stated.
The ministry further advised citizens to follow developments through the official websites and social media accounts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Turkish Embassy in Khartoum.
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