An operation to evacuate Irish people and their families from Sudan is underway.
Image via Twitter/@defenceforcesThe Government is sending 12 Defence Forces personnel to the region, some left last night with others due to depart today.
It follows fierce fighting between the Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary group, which has claimed over 430 lives in the past nine days.
The Taoiseach says members of the Irish mission have been authorized to travel to both Djibouti and Sudan, to help with the evacuation.
Independent Senator and Security Analyst Tom Clonon says a medical and communications team will also be part of the operation.
'They would have an advanced paramedic team that would give any medical aid or assistance to any Irish citizen that needs it and they would also have a communications team or a comms team that would have a very secure and reliable rear link to Djibouti and then back to Ireland just to make sure that we know exactly what's happening, at all phases of the operation.'
