International Efforts Underway To Evacuate Foreign Nationals From War-Ravaged Sudan

Efforts to evacuate foreigners from Sudan are underway amid a week of conflict between armed forces and paramilitary groups, posing challenges to the extraction of diplomats and expats, as reported by the Financial Times.

The White House suspended embassy operations and removed US government personnel from Khartoum in an operation conducted on Saturday (22 April).

US officials state that nearly 100 embassy staff were evacuated by around 100 special forces personnel.

The Democratic chair of the Senate intelligence select committee, Mark Warner, stated that the US is working with various partners in the Middle East, Europe, and China to evacuate citizens from Sudan safely.

However, he advised individuals to remain where they are to "shelter in place" until further instructions are given.

On Sunday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted the successful evacuation of British diplomats and their families from Sudan by the UK armed forces, amidst heightened violence and threats to embassy staff.

Over 1,200 personnel from 16 Air Assault Brigade, the Royal Marines, and the RAF were involved in the operation, according to UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

Sunak and Biden are urging an end to the Sudan conflict, as it has resulted in the death of numerous innocent civilians. Biden denounces the violence and calls for an immediate halt.

France is arranging a quick evacuation plan for its citizens, diplomats, and those from other nations who have asked for their assistance, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Over a hundred people boarded the first flight from Khartoum to Djibouti on Sunday afternoon, as stated by a French Defence Ministry official. More flights were scheduled for Sunday evening and Monday (today).

The French Defence Official urged caution until completion of operation, expected within two days.

Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, announced on Sunday that Italy successfully evacuated its citizens and a few foreigners who requested to leave.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry reported the evacuation of 157 people, among them 91 Saudis and citizens of other nations. Footage from state television showed evacuees arriving in Jeddah via a naval vessel.

Ghana's Foreign Affairs Ministry is coordinating the evacuation of its citizens and planning to secure their safe passage to Ethiopia, according to a statement.

Sudan's security has declined since fighting broke out last weekend between the army, led by General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and Sudan's Vice President, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also commander of the Rapid Support Forces, causing evacuations.

Khartoum airport is paralysed with civilian aircrafts destroyed due to clashes.

Over 400 fatalities and 3,500 injuries have resulted from the conflict, which also claimed the lives of four UN aid workers. The US State Department acknowledged the death of an American citizen in the fighting but gave no additional information.

Four individuals, including three with World Food Programme and one from International Organization for Migration, have succumbed to injuries.

US and Norwegian diplomatic missions were attacked, including a convoy and residence respectively.