Egypt: Security Forces Free Egyptians ‘Kidnapped’ by RSF in Sudan

One of the freed Egyptians, who was brought back from Sudan, surrounded by his family (MENA)
One of the freed Egyptians, who was brought back from Sudan, surrounded by his family (MENA)
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Egypt: Security Forces Free Egyptians ‘Kidnapped’ by RSF in Sudan

One of the freed Egyptians, who was brought back from Sudan, surrounded by his family (MENA)
One of the freed Egyptians, who was brought back from Sudan, surrounded by his family (MENA)

Egyptian media reported on Thursday that security forces, in coordination with Sudanese authorities, successfully freed a group of Egyptians who had been “kidnapped” by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.

According to an informed Egyptian source who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, the freed Egyptians, who have since returned to Egypt following an operation conducted under the “directives of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi,” were traders working in Khartoum. They had been detained by the RSF in areas under its control since last year.

The source clarified that their release was secured through “security arrangements with Sudanese authorities, without any direct Egyptian security intervention on the ground.”

As reported by Egypt’s Middle East News Agency, the Egyptian-Sudanese coordination led to the successful “transfer of the freed Egyptians from conflict zones in central Khartoum to Port Sudan,” before their return to Egypt.

The source also revealed that the Egyptians had initially “refused voluntary repatriation when the internal conflict erupted in Sudan in mid-April 2023, fearing the loss of their businesses.”

According to Egyptian local media, the number of freed individuals was seven, all from Fayoum (south of Cairo), who had been living in Sudan and engaged in the trade of household goods.

The source explained that “RSF control over Khartoum led to the seizure of properties belonging to Sudanese citizens and foreign nationals, including Egyptians.”

He noted that “the kidnapped group was among a small number of Egyptians who chose to remain in Sudan despite the outbreak of war, refusing to join the voluntary repatriation initiative.”

Since the war began in Sudan, the Egyptian government has facilitated the return of approximately 10,000 citizens through air, land, and sea bridges, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Egyptian military expert Major General Samir Farag confirmed that the release of the detainees was achieved through “understandings and communications between Egypt’s security and sovereign agencies and their Sudanese counterparts, rather than through a direct Egyptian security operation inside Sudanese territory.”



AFP Appeals for Evacuation of Freelance Staff from Gaza

Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo
Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo
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AFP Appeals for Evacuation of Freelance Staff from Gaza

Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo
Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo

Agence France-Presse called on Israel on Tuesday to allow the immediate evacuation of its freelance contributors and their families from the Gaza Strip, citing worsening living conditions and escalating risks to their safety.

In a statement, the French news agency said its freelancers faced an "appalling situation" in Gaza. A 21-month war with Israel has devastated the territory, since Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023.

"For months, we have been witnessing, powerless, the dramatic deterioration of their living conditions," AFP said, adding that the situation had become untenable despite the "exemplary courage, professional commitment and resilience" of its local team.

The management statement came after AFP's journalists' association issued its own statement saying colleagues in Gaza risked dying of hunger.

AFP said it had succeeded in evacuating eight staff members and their families from Gaza between January and April 2024, after months of effort. It is now seeking to secure safe passage for its freelance Palestinian reporters, despite "the extreme difficulty of leaving a territory under strict blockade".

According to Reuters, Israel has barred international journalists from entering Gaza since October 7, 2023. AFP said the work of its Palestinian freelancers remained crucial to informing the world, but said they now had to leave because of the risk to their lives.

Reuters also works with freelance journalists in Gaza.

"Reuters is deeply concerned about the health and safety of its freelancers in Gaza, with whom we are in daily contact. The extreme difficulty sourcing food is leading to their and all Gaza residents experiencing greater levels of hunger and illness," a Reuters spokesperson said. "We are providing our contributors with additional financial support to help them and, should they wish to leave the territory, we will provide any assistance possible to help them get out."