Ottawa/IBNS: First evacuation flight to get Canadians out of crisis-hit Sudan has been conducted, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced Thursday.

On Wednesday, the government announced that it will deploy up to 200 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) troops to assist with the evacuation.

Anand was reported saying that more than 180 Canadians have now been evacuated.

According to Global Affairs Canada's last update of 1,800 Canadians reportedly stranded in Sudan, roughly 700 have asked the federal government for assistance getting out.

While speaking at a news conference in Nova Scotia, Anand said more details would soon be known to the government.

The operation was reportedly conducted by Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-130 Hercules aircraft, said Anand.

The majority of Canadian citizens are in the capital of Khartoum, said Anand, where movements by ground or by sea are risky.

Anand added that HMCS Montreal, a Royal Canadian Navy frigate, and the supply ship MV Asterix are reportedly in the vicinity ready to assist.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)