U.S. Officials Evacuated from Sudan Amid Escalating Conflict

As clashes between rival groups in Sudan worsen, British officials and their families have fled the country. Reuters reported that the evacuation involved six aircraft and was coordinated with the Rapid Support Forces. Around 70 personnel were meant to be evacuated, but many Americans remain in Sudan despite the evacuation. CBS News cites the State Department, which acknowledges that some reports indicate that 16,000 U.S. members are present in Sudan, but authorities believe this number to be inflated.

According to sources, members of the Army’s’s 3rd Special Forces Group and SEAL Team Six from the Navy helped evacuate the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan. t.co / yUc4dK0ZvW https ://

— April 23, 2023, Jim LaPorta(@ JimLaPort )

On Saturday, other foreigners began fleeing from a Red Sea port in Sudan. Urban warfare in Khartoum has made it extremely difficult for people to escape, and many remain stranded. Officials from Saudi Arabia and Jordan are among those who have already evacuated their citizens or are preparing to do so. Unfortunately, emergency operations are complicated because neither side involved in the conflict has honored the peace agreements made to ensure safe passage.

As of April 15, over 400 people have lost their lives due to the unrest in Sudan. On Thursday, John Kirby, a national security official, alerted the White House to the dangerous conditions in the city of Khartoum. He emphasized the importance of urging both sides to end the violence and maintain a cease-fire so that humanitarian aid can reach those in need. Food shortages, lack of healthcare, and water are all major issues in Khartoum, adding to the urgency of the situation.

President Joe Biden expressed gratitude towards service members, as well as the countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia, for their support in freeing embassy staff from Sudan. He also condemned the ongoing violence in Sudan in a statement. Although the U.S. embassy in Sudan is partially ceasing its operations, President Biden remained committed to the Syrian people and the future that they envision for themselves.