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Press Release | May 1, 2023

CENTCOM Commander Thanks Saudi Chief of Defense for Supporting the Evacuation of American Citizens from Sudan

USCENTCOM

May 1, 2023

Release Number 20230501-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Today, the commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, called the Royal Saudi Chief of General Staff, Gen. Fayyadh Al Ruwaili, to thank him and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its support in evacuating American citizens from Sudan amidst the conflict there.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Royal Saudi Armed Forces provide access, basing, and overflights, as well as resources to evacuate hundreds of American citizens. This support allowed the movement of these Americans from Sudan to safety in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“We are greatly appreciative of the remarkable effort of General Al Ruwaili, the Royal Saudi Armed Forces, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in evacuating hundreds of Americans to safety,” said Kurilla. “This rapid coordination was possible due to the firm U.S.-Saudi partnership, which dates back more than seven decades. We will continue to build on that partnership into the future.”

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