CAIRO, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has sent two military planes loaded with medical aid to neighboring Sudan to help alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, the Egyptian army announced on Wednesday.
A video report released by the army showed the two planes taking off from a military base in Cairo and landing at Port Sudan Airport on Tuesday, carrying tons of medical supplies provided by the Egyptian Health Ministry with labels on the boxes reading: "From the Egyptian people to the Sudanese people."
The Egyptian move is meant to "deliver a political message to the entire international community on the importance of solidarity with Sudan at this critical stage," said Hany Salah, Egypt's Ambassador to Sudan, upon the arrival of the planes.
For his part, Fathallah al-Haj Ahmed, head of Red Sea State, said the Egyptian gesture reflects "the uniqueness of the relations between Sudan and Egypt" deeply rooted throughout history.
Sudan has been locked in deadly military clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since mid-April. Meanwhile, Egypt has received thousands of Egyptians and foreigners, including Sudanese citizens, fleeing the conflict.
The Sudanese Doctors Union said on Tuesday in a statement that the civilian death toll has climbed to 822 since the clashes broke out on April 15. ■
