Nine Egyptians freed after 19 months in captivity in Sudan returned home, coinciding with ongoing military conflict. The group, accused wrongly of espionage, detailed their harrowing experience. With the war causing widespread humanitarian issues, the situation remains dire as foreign influences complicate the crisis.
Nine Egyptians who had been held captive for 19 months by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) returned to Egypt on Thursday morning amid celebrations. Their arrival coincided with escalating military advances in Khartoum, as the Sudanese army continued its operations. Ahmed Aziz Masry, one of the freed captives, expressed hope, stating, “Praise be to God. A new age begins for us today. Our life starts anew from today.”
The villagers of Abo Shanab, located 110 km southwest of Cairo, jubilantly welcomed the returned captives. Sudan has been embroiled in conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the army and the RSF, leading to severe humanitarian consequences including mass displacements and widespread hunger. A recent UN report highlighted a troubling pattern of arbitrary detention and torture involving both the RSF and the Sudanese army.
The freed individuals had been residing in Khartoum, where they engaged in the importation of household goods and small electrical appliances. Emad Moawad, one of the captives, recounted plans to return home quickly thwarted by the closure of the airport amidst conflicts. “Sixty-five days later, the RSF raided our house and held us captive for over 19 months,” he revealed.
Masry further detailed their ordeal, emphasizing that the RSF inaccurately accused the group of espionage on behalf of Egyptian intelligence. He recalled their despair as freedom appeared fleeting—”Every few months, they would tell us they are releasing us but then put a blindfold on our heads and send us to another prison.” Ultimately, after being transferred among several prisons, they were taken to the Sudanese Army, which facilitated their passage to Cairo. The ongoing war has drawn international concern, with allegations of foreign involvement linked to both the RSF and the Sudanese army.
The release of the nine Egyptian captives marks a significant moment, highlighting the human cost of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Their account reveals the harsh realities of arbitrary detention and the dire humanitarian situation resulting from the war. Additionally, the complex involvement of foreign powers compounds the regional instability, drawing attention to the urgent need for resolution and support for the affected communities.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
