Western Nations Evacuate their Nationals from Khartoum as Sudan Civil War Escalates

The U.S., France, U.K and South Korea are among nations that have speeded up the evacuation of their citizens from Khartoum even as fighting has intensified between the Sudanese government forces and rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the African country.

As per UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 420 people have been killed and over 3,700 wounded in fighting between the Sudanese armed forces headed by Lt Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the powerful paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) whose leader is Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. There is a widespread shortage of food, clean water, medicine, fuel, electricity and means of communication; and the prices of essentials have skyrocketed.

More than 100 U.S. troops and three Chinook helicopters were reportedly sent to evacuate less than 100 people stranded in Sudan. The aircraft flew in from Djibouti, and were grounded in Khartoum for less than an hour.

Yet thousands of American citizens and dual nationals are thought to remain in the country. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. would continue to “assist Americans in planning for their own safety”.

Earlier today, the Pentagon said it might utilize surveillance drones and aircraft, as well as naval ships to assist American Citizens leaving Sudan.

France launched Operation SAGITTAIRE for “rapid evacuation” of diplomats and citizens. About 250 French citizens are believed to be in Sudan. Other European citizens and those from “allied partner countries” will also be assisted, the Foreign Ministry said.

Last night, two military flight rotations evacuated 388 people of 28 countries.

Meanwhile, RSF claimed it evacuated 41 Italian citizens and embassy staff from capital Khartoum on Sunday evening.

Evacuation operations of Egyptian troops apprehended by Hemedti’s forces as well as civilians in danger zones were being carried out by Egyptian General Intelligence Service (GIS) Special Forces Unit in cooperation with the Egyptian Armed Forces.

The UK sent more than 1,200 military personnel to evacuate its diplomats and their families. The 16 Air Assault Brigade, the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force were involved in the evacuation of the British embassy with help from Egypt.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi for Egypt’s support in the operation to evacuate British embassy staff from Khartoum on Sunday.