A number of Irish citizens have been safely evacuated from Sudan.
The Spanish government has confirmed Irish nationals were among a group of 100 people flown from Khartoum to Djibouti on one of its military aircraft last night.
It didn't specify how many, but says the evacuation passed off without incident.
12 members of the Irish Defence Forces are en-route to Sudan this morning to assist Irish people there to leave the country.
Over 430 people, including 264 civilians have been killed since fighting began nine days ago between the Army and a rival paramilitary group known as Rapid Support Forces.
The Taoiseach says members of the Irish mission have been authorized to travel to both Djibouti and Sudan, to help with the evacuation of around 150 Irish citizens and their families from the region.
Independent Senator and Security Analyst Tom Clonan says the defences forces will be providing security and evacuation support.
"If the international military go in with heavy lift aircraft to take out international citizens, that the airport perimeter would be secured by the international military, there would probably cordon outside operated by the Sudanese military to allow people to get in and on to the aircraft and then out - in that scenario the ranger wing would be on the 12 strong team providing security for our diplomats and consular staff."
