A hybrid operation: MAGNUS International Search and Rescue on behalf of PassportCard and in coordination with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Israeli travelers and foreign citizens were successfully rescued from an active conflict zone in Ethiopia.
Over the last week, violent battles took place between the Ethiopian army and the local FANO militia in the Amhara province of Ethiopia.
The battles escalated in several cities and villages in the Amhara region, including: Gondar, Debra Tabor, and Lalibela.
The PassportCard insurance company requested MAGNUS Int. Search and Rescue to evacuate their insured parties. Under the leadership of the MAGNUS Africa Regional Director, the ground operation took off rapidly. Bringing together the Magnus ground assets in Ethiopia, the command and control center in Tel Aviv, and many other moving pieces, the oparation began to take shape.
The Operations Center Team in Israel and Africa focused on intelligence gathering for risk assessment and implementation of potential evacuation plans.
After 72 hours, a window of opportunity became apparent, allowing the evacuation plan to take place. In coordination with the local government officials, PassportCard insurance company, MAGNUS field personnel, the Israeli consul in Addis Ababa, and the department for Israelis abroad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a rescue operation of 13 Israelis and seven foreign nationals was carried out from the city of Debark to the city of Shire in the Tigray state.
A lead vehicle was sent ahead of the convoy, to scout for upcoming threats.
Along the way, communication with the group was carried out using satellite devices and the MAGNUS Safety App. The convoy encountered a number of administrative delays, however the Magnus team was in continuous contact with the area commanders to enable a safe and quick passage.
All the travelers arrived safely in the city of Shire, safe and sound, from where they will continue on the flight to Addis Ababa accompanied by the Magnus team members.
We are continuing to monitor the unstable situation in the area to consider further evacuation plans in areas that are still in lockdown.
