Yesterday despite international coverage on the release of all Egyptian soldiers from Sudan, we at GEOPOLITIKI have been waiting for official confirmation.
While it is true that some Egyptian soldiers have returned from Sudan, the number only includes those who were not captured by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). We took our time to check the sources that reported, that “all the Egyptian soldiers returned” and discovered that the Sudanese Army made an official statement stating that 28 Egyptian soldiers were captured by the rebels and they were still in the hands of the RSF.
The official statement also clarified that the soldiers who were evacuated from Merowe during the uprising were not arrested by RSF Forces because they were outside the airport during the clashes.
However, at midnight, Egyptian media began circulating news that Egyptian President Al-Sisi had issued a warning with a 72-hour ultimatum to return all Egyptian soldiers, including those held by the RSF in Sudan, or military force would be used.
This warning may have paid off as the RSF announced this morning, that they had delivered 27 members of the Egyptian Armed Forces to the Red Cross.
The RSF stated that in appreciation of the historical and fraternal relations between Sudan and Egypt and in compliance with international laws and norms, they delivered the Egyptians who were in good health until they were handed to the Red Cross Committee.
The RSF expressed gratitude to the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, as well as the efforts of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and all brotherly and friendly countries that contacted the Rapid Support Command in this regard. They also extended special thanks to the Committee of the Red Cross for their cooperation and coordination.