Egypt's military on Thursday said three of its aircraft brought home its troops stranded in northern Sudan after fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary.
Servicemen captured by the RSF, meanwhile, have been released and taken to the Egyptian embassy in Khartoum.
A statement by the armed forces' spokesman did not say how many men were in each group, but the Sudanese military on Wednesday said 177 Egyptian air force personnel has been flown to Egypt from the northern Sudanese town of Dongola.
It put the number of troops at the Egyptian embassy at 27.
Egypt's Foreign Ministry said the release and transfer of soldiers to the embassy was carried out with "the co-ordination and co-operation" of the UAE.
"The two countries expressed their appreciation of the efforts made by the International Red Cross in support of securing the safety of the Egyptian soldiers," the ministry said.
An identical statement by the UAE also cited co-operation between the two Arab allies and emphasised their "commitment to continue efforts to stop the fighting in Sudan, protect civilians and allow the resumption of dialogue between Sudanese stakeholders to resolve their differences, proceed to a transitional stage and eventually arrive at the hoped-for security and stability in Sudan".
Fighting in Khartoum between the army and the RSF was continuing for a sixth day on Thursday after several failed attempts at a ceasefire.
The Egyptian military said the soldiers at the embassy would be flown home "as soon as conditions stabilise and security circumstances permit".
The military personnel were captured when the RSF overran an army base in northern Sudan last weekend. The RSF on Wednesday said it had taken the men to Khartoum.
Thursday's Egyptian military statement said the 177 men who were flown home had not been captured by the RSF, contrary to the Sudanese military's claims.
Egypt said its soldiers were taking part in a training mission under a military protocol signed with Sudan and denied that it was taking sides in the conflict.
A video clip posted online last week showed RSF fighters forcing a small group of Egyptian soldiers to crawl on their stomachs. An RSF member was seen hitting one of the soldiers and heard abusing them.
The clip triggered an outcry in Egypt, with social media users voicing their anger and demanding retribution.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's government forged close military ties with Sudan following the removal from power in 2019 of former president Omar Al Bashir.
Relations between Cairo and Khartoum were often fraught during Al Bashir's 29-year rule.
The neighbours have frequently held joint war games over the past three to four years.
Egypt has traditionally viewed its neighbour to the south as an extension of its national security sphere.
However, its latest efforts to establish close relations with Khartoum were in part motivated by Cairo's wish to put pressure on Ethiopia, which is building a dam on the Nile that Egypt says could compromise its vital share of the river's water.
Sudan's army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan has visited Egypt at least three times since Al Bashir's removal and was given a head-of-state reception, complete with a guard of honour, on a visit last year.
In contrast, RSF commander Gen Mohamed Dagalo, has visited once in the same period.
Mr El Sisi, a former army general, this week reviewed the conflict in Sudan with his top commanders, saying later in televised comments that Egypt was prepared to mediate and that his government was in contact with the warring sides.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Rating: 1/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The specs: 2019 Lincoln MKC
Price, base / as tested: Dh169,995 / Dh192,045
Engine: Turbocharged, 2.0-litre, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 253hp @ 5,500rpm
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Fuel economy, combined: 10.7L / 100km
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)
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