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{{Short description|Operation organized by the Indian Army (2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox operational plan
| name = Operation Kaveri
| image =
| alt =
| partof = the [[Evacuation of foreign nationals during the 2023 Sudan conflict]] and [[Battle of Khartoum (2023)|Battle of Khartoum]]
| caption =
| scope = Humanitarian relief
| type = [[Emergency evacuation]]
| location =
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| planned =
| planned_by = [[Indian Armed Forces]] and [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]
| commanded_by = [[General (India)|General]]
| objective = Evacuation of [[India]]n citizens from [[Sudan]]
| target =
| date = 24 April — 5 May 2023<ref>{{cite news |last1=भाषा |first1=पीटीआई- |title=खत्म हुआ 'ऑपरेशन कावेरी'! सेना की 17 उड़ानें, नौसेना के 5 जहाज, सूडान से वापस आए 3862 भारतीय |url=https://www.abplive.com/news/india/sudan-conflict-army-17-flights-navy-5-ships-3862-indians-returned-from-sudan-2400998 |work=www.abplive.com |date=6 May 2023 |language=hi}}</ref>
| time =
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| executed_by = [[Indian Armed Forces]]
| outcome = Nearly 3,862 evacuated as of 5 May 2023.
| casualties =
| fatalities =
| injuries =
}}
'''Operation Kaveri''' ({{Small|romanized}}: ''Kaveri,'' {{Small|lit}}. [[Kaveri|Kaveri River]]) was an operation conducted by the [[Indian Armed Forces]] to evacuate [[Indian people|Indian]] citizens and foreign nationals from [[Sudan]] during the [[2023 Sudan conflict]].<ref name="DH1">{{cite web |title=India launches Operation Kaveri to evacuate its nationals from Sudan |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-launches-operation-kaveri-to-evacuate-its-nationals-from-sudan-1212522.html |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |date=24 April 2023 |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424204714/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-launches-operation-kaveri-to-evacuate-its-nationals-from-sudan-1212522.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HN1">{{cite web |last1=Bhattacherjee |first1=Kallol |title=India launches Operation Kaveri to evacuate stranded citizens from war-hit Sudan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-launches-operation-kaveri-to-evacuate-stranded-citizens-from-war-hit-sudan/article66773499.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=24 April 2023 |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424204714/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-launches-operation-kaveri-to-evacuate-stranded-citizens-from-war-hit-sudan/article66773499.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The evacuation was conducted by air and sea, most likely in [[Port Sudan]] where most of the evacuations were done by [[Indian Navy]] through [[INS Sumedha]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=India begins evacuating citizens from Sudan under 'Operation Kaveri' |url=https://www.wionews.com/world/operation-kaveri-india-begins-evacuating-citizens-from-sudan-585686 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=WION |language=en-us |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425013054/https://www.wionews.com/world/operation-kaveri-india-begins-evacuating-citizens-from-sudan-585686 |url-status=live }}</ref> The operation was conducted for the evacuations of thousands of Indians in Sudan, primarily in [[Khartoum]], the capital of the country.

== Background ==
The [[List of conflicts in Sudan|history of conflicts in Sudan]] has consisted of foreign invasions and resistance, [[Ethnic hatred|ethnic tensions]], [[Religious violence|religious disputes]], and competition over resources. In its modern history, [[Sudanese Civil War (disambiguation)|two civil wars]] between the central government and the [[South Sudan|southern regions]] killed 1.5 million people, and a [[War in Darfur|continuing conflict]] in the western region of [[Darfur]] has displaced two million people and killed more than 200,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sudan: 'I haven't slept, I'm terrified,' says Khartoum resident as fighting rages |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-65285254 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb |archive-date=26 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426003620/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-65285254 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since [[Sudan independence|independence]] in 1956, Sudan has had more than fifteen military coups and it has also been ruled by the military for the majority of the republic's existence, with only brief periods of democratic civilian parliamentary rule.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Military Rule No Longer Viable in Sudan: Analyst |url=https://www.voaafrica.com/a/sudan-october-revolution/6799915.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=VOA |language=en |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417070705/https://www.voaafrica.com/a/sudan-october-revolution/6799915.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 15 April 2023, the RSF launched a surprise attack on multiple Sudanese Army bases across the country, including in the capital [[Khartoum]]. At 12:00 ([[Central Africa Time|CAT]]),<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-15 |title=Sudan: Army and RSF battle over key sites, leaving 56 civilians dead |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65284945 |access-date=2023-04-25 |archive-date=15 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415084000/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65284945 |url-status=live }}</ref> RSF forces claimed to have captured [[Khartoum International Airport]], [[Merowe Airport]], [[El Obeid Airport]] as well as a base in [[Soba (city)|Soba]]. Clashes between RSF and the Army erupted at the [[Presidential Palace, Khartoum|Presidential Palace]] and at the residence of General al-Burhan, with both sides claiming control over the two sites.<ref>{{Cite web |title=السودان في ثاني أيام المعارك.. اتساع المواجهات بين الجيش والدعم السريع وفتح ممرات إنسانية لفترة وجيزة |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/liveblog/2023/4/15/%d9%84%d8%ad%d8%b8%d8%a9-%d8%a8%d9%84%d8%ad%d8%b8%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d8%b4%d8%aa%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%83%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a8%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%b4 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=www.aljazeera.net |language=ar |archive-date=15 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415111143/https://www.aljazeera.net/news/liveblog/2023/4/15/%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B8%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Operation ==
Alarmed by the growing tensions and the conflict, India joined several other countries to make a massive evacuation of nationals and citizens from Sudan, the next day India announced the start of Operation Kaveri as 500 Indians were reported in [[Port Sudan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Highlights: India's Operation Kaveri To Evacuate Citizens From Sudan Begins |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-evacuation-in-sudan-operation-kaveri-live-updates-3974782 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=NDTV.com |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425013053/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-evacuation-in-sudan-operation-kaveri-live-updates-3974782 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 24 April, [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|External Affairs Ministry]] said two [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J]] aircraft and [[Garud Commando Force]] operatives of the [[Indian Air Force]] were on standby in [[Jeddah]], Saudi Arabia as part of preparations for evacuation, while the [[Indian Navy]]'s {{INS|Sumedha}} had reached [[Port Sudan]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-22 |title=IAF planes on standby, INS Sumedha at Port Sudan as India seeks to expedite evacuation from Sudan |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/iaf-planes-on-standby-ins-sumedha-at-port-sudan-as-india-seeks-to-expedite-evacuation-from-sudan/articleshow/99710890.cms |access-date=2023-04-23 |work=[[The Economic Times|Economic Times]] |language=en |archive-date=23 April 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423135038/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/iaf-planes-on-standby-ins-sumedha-at-port-sudan-as-india-seeks-to-expedite-evacuation-from-sudan/articleshow/99710890.cms}}</ref>

On 25 April, 278 Indians<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-25 |title=First batch of 278 Indians leaves crisis-hit Sudan under Operation Kaveri |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/first-batch-of-278-indians-leaves-crisis-hit-sudan-under-operation-kaveri-1212785.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425105506/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/first-batch-of-278-indians-leaves-crisis-hit-sudan-under-operation-kaveri-1212785.html |url-status=live}}</ref> were transported by sea to INS ''Sumedha''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-25 |title=India begins evacuation from Sudan; 278 Indians board naval ship to Jeddah |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-evacuates-3-000-nationals-from-sudan-as-ceasefire-agreement-reached-saudi-arabia-key-in-ferrying-stranded-citizens-operationkaveri-101682431045902.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425165925/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-evacuates-3-000-nationals-from-sudan-as-ceasefire-agreement-reached-saudi-arabia-key-in-ferrying-stranded-citizens-operationkaveri-101682431045902.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

On the night of April 27–28, a [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J]] aircraft of the [[Indian Air Force]] with 121 Indians took off from [[Wadi Seidna Air Base]]. The flight was dangerous, as fighting was going on in this area (later a Turkish plane would come under fire here).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Turkish evacuation plane shot at while landing in Sudan |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-turmoil-turkey-evacuation-plane-shot-landing-khartoum |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503001142/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-turmoil-turkey-evacuation-plane-shot-landing-khartoum |archive-date=3 May 2023 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref> Approaching the airstrip, the IAF pilots used their onboard [[Electro-optics|electro-optical]] and [[Thermographic camera|infrared sensors]] to ensure that the runway was free of obstructions and no inimical forces were in the vicinity. The pilots adopted a tactical approach—as done in war zones—using [[Night-vision device|night vision goggles]]. On landing, the aircraft engines were kept running while eight IAF Garud commandos, fully armed with automatic weapons, located, verified and secured the passengers and their luggage into the aircraft. The take-off from the runway was again carried out with night vision goggles.<ref name="tt1">{{cite web |title=IAF pilots land aircraft on unlit runway to rescue 121 |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/iaf-pilots-land-aircraft-on-unlit-runway-to-rescue-121-502918 |website=Tribune India |access-date=29 April 2023 |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503001145/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/iaf-pilots-land-aircraft-on-unlit-runway-to-rescue-121-502918 |url-status=live}}</ref>

A total of 754 Indian citizens were evacuated on 28 April. Among those rescued was an employee of the French diplomatic mission, as well as his family.<ref name="tt1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-28 |title=No Light on Sudan Airstrip, IAF Pilots Use Night Vision Goggles For Landing; Rescue 121 People |url=https://www.news18.com/india/no-light-on-sudan-airstrip-iaf-pilots-use-night-vision-goggles-for-landing-rescue-121-people-7670065.html |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428214438/https://www.news18.com/india/no-light-on-sudan-airstrip-iaf-pilots-use-night-vision-goggles-for-landing-rescue-121-people-7670065.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Nearly 2,400 Indian citizens evacuated from Sudan as of 29 April 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sudan crisis: Rival forces violate ceasefire as fighting rages, India rescues nearly 2,400 citizens {{!}} 5 points |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/india-citizen-evacuation-sudan-crisis-rival-factions-fighting-khartoum-port-sudan-2366143-2023-04-29 |website=India Today |access-date=29 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=29 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429083052/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/india-citizen-evacuation-sudan-crisis-rival-factions-fighting-khartoum-port-sudan-2366143-2023-04-29 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Nearly 231 Indian citizens (most of them from [[Gujarat]]) were evacuated from Sudan on 2 May 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sudan crisis: 231 Indians reach Ahmedabad from Jeddah |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sudan-crisis-231-indians-reach-ahmedabad-from-jeddah/article66802873.ece/ |website=The Hindu |access-date=2 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

India completed the evacuation of Hakki Pikki tribe members of [[Karnataka]] from Sudan. The Indian evacuees including the Hakki Pikki tribes were housed in a school in Port Sudan, before being flown to Jiddah.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhattacherjee |first1=Kallol |title=Operation Kaveri {{!}} India completes risky evacuation of most of the Hakki Pikki tribe members from Sudan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/operation-kaveri-india-completes-risky-evacuation-of-most-of-the-hakki-pikki-tribe-members-from-sudan/article66811133.ece |access-date=4 May 2023 |work=The Hindu |date=4 May 2023 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[India–Sudan relations]]
* [[Operation Raahat]]
* [[2023 Sudanese refugee crisis]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}{{2023 Sudan conflict}}{{Military of India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaveri, Operation}}
[[Category:Non-combat military operations involving India]]
[[Category:2023 in India]]
[[Category:Military operations of the war in Sudan (2023)]]
[[Category:Evacuations of Indians]]
[[Category:Airlifts]]
[[Category:Naval history of India]]
[[Category:History of the foreign relations of India]]
[[Category:Indian diaspora in Asia]]
[[Category:2023 in aviation]]
[[Category:2023 in foreign relations of India]]
[[Category:Aviation history of India]]
[[Category:Modi administration]]
[[Category:India–Sudan relations]]
[[Category:Non-combatant evacuation operations]]

Operation Kaveri - Revision history

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