British troops sent to defend Khartoum airfield during rescue flights

British troops could take over security at a key Sudan airfield this week to help UK citizens escape the war-torn country, the Defence Secretary has confirmed.

The facility near Khartoum where the evacuation efforts are centred is currently being defended by the German military.

But Ben Wallace told MPs on Tuesday that 120 British servicemen are already at the airfield and stand ready to take control of it themselves if the Germans decide to leave Sudan.

He said: “Currently the airfield is run by the German military, and depending on how long they stay we will stand ready or prepared to take over from them should they decide their evacuation is finished.”