The situation in Sudan’s capital is becoming increasingly desperate. People have been fleeing the raging fighting between the regular army and the paramilitary RSF for almost a week now; the two main groups in the country’s military regime.
The American State Department confirmed on Sunday night, Swedish time, that all personnel at the country’s embassy in Khartoum and their families have been evacuated to Ethiopia. The embassy is closed until further notice.
About 100 American soldiers in three MH-47 helicopters carried out the operation, write AP news agency.
“We continue to help Americans plan for their own security. We will also continue to push to extend the ceasefire to prevent further damage to the Sudanese nation,” Foreign Minister Antony Blinken tweeted.
Blinken states that the widespread fighting has caused “a significant number” of civilian deaths and injuries, as well as damage to important infrastructure.
Thousands on the run
Several other countries are currently trying to get their diplomats and citizens out of the country, including Sweden. On Saturday, the Swedish government announced that it wants to send a Swedish armed force to assist in an evacuation of the hundreds of Swedish citizens who are in Khartoum and the rest of Sudan.
However, a Riksdag decision is required for an armed force to be able to support and carry out an evacuation operation. Therefore, have the speaker called to a chamber meeting at 10 a.m. on Sunday to deal with the matter. Before that, at 08.00, the foreign affairs committee meets.
More than 400 people have died in the fighting so far, according to AP.
The internet was largely down overnight Sunday, according to Netblocks, which analyzes global internet traffic.
The UN estimates that over 20,000 people have fled Sudan and many of Khartoum’s five million inhabitants have left the city to seek refuge in smaller towns and villages.
