On the night of Sunday, the US flew into Sudan with six helicopters and took out just under 100 people. This was announced by US President Joe Biden today. At 11 a.m. today, Sweden’s Riksdag approved the government’s proposal to send a military force to Sudan to retrieve its citizens. The British military today also evacuated several diplomats and their families. Around 70 Norwegians are still in Sudan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) informs news on Sunday morning that a similar solution is on the table for the Norwegians in the capital, Khartoum. – It is not something we rule out. We are concerned with getting our people out safely, says State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson (Ap). Several countries evacuate The American operation was the result of a collaboration with the paramilitary RSF force. At the same time, the United States has made it clear that the country cannot help ordinary Americans with evacuation. There are an estimated 16,000 American citizens in Sudan. The embassy is now closed and it is unclear when the US can resume functions there. On Sunday morning, AFP reports that France has also started a “quick” operation to evacuate French and European citizens in Sudan. Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra says at the same time that the country is now working with Jordan to get its citizens out. FIGHTING IN THE CAPITAL: Smoke rises from a residential area in Khartoum. The picture was taken last week. Photo: AFP 70 Norwegians Norway, Sweden, the EU and Switzerland are preparing a possible evacuation of their own citizens from Khartoum. Norway currently has three diplomats stationed in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. Because of the fighting, it has not been possible to get them out of the country. – As far as we are aware, there are around 70 Norwegians in Sudan at the moment. They are working hard along various channels to get people out. It is dangerous to be in Sudan now, says State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson to news. DOES NOT EXCLUDE MILITARY MEANS: State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Eivind Vad Petersson (Ap) says Norway does not rule out using military means to retrieve its embassy staff from Khartoum. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news – For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our top priority is to get the Norwegian diplomats out, for whom we have a special responsibility, emphasizes Vad Petersson. The Riksdag approved at 11 on Sunday that Swedish soldiers can be sent to Sudan to participate in evacuation. There is probably talk of up to 150 soldiers, although the foreign affairs committee in the Riksdag is said to have proposed that the government be given the opportunity to send up to 400. Vad Petersson says Norway may also send military personnel, most likely via allied military bases in Djibouti. – We use all the means at our disposal. It can be civilian, but also military resources. We work closely with other countries that also have citizens in Sudan. – Too dangerous The fighting in Sudan between the army forces of the country’s two most powerful generals broke out on 15 April. Hundreds of civilians have been killed. Fighting has continued after both the government army and the paramilitary group RSF announced a three-day ceasefire. The sound of heavy firing, loud explosions and fighter jets could be heard over many parts of the capital on Saturday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday that things must calm down on the ground before Norway can eventually evacuate everyone with Norwegian connections. – Now it is too dangerous. It is unclear, and it is not possible to do it now, said director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tuva Bogsnes to news.
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British diplomats evacuated from Sudan – Norway considers sending military personnel – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
