– On my orders, US forces carried out an evacuation of US embassy staff in Khartoum, says a statement from President Joe Biden. The evacuation of the US embassy in Sudan took place on the night of Sunday with six aircraft in which US diplomats and their families were transported out. It was the result of a collaboration between the paramilitary RSF force and US forces. Under 100 people were evacuated, according to Secretary of State John Bass, reports the AFP news agency. 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 also reports that France has started a “quick” operation to evacuate French and European citizens in Sudan. The French embassy is also being evacuated. FIGHTING IN THE CAPITAL: Smoke rises from a residential area in Khartoum. The picture was taken last week. Photo: AFP Norway is considering sending military personnel Norway, Sweden, the EU and Switzerland are preparing for 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 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Eivind Vad Petersson (Ap) to news on Sunday morning. 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. Sweden’s government opened yesterday to send an armed force to Sudan to assist in the evacuation of its own and other countries’ citizens from Sudan. Around 100 Swedish citizens are believed to be in Sudan. A dozen Swedes work at Sweden’s embassy in the capital, Khartoum. 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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US embassy in Sudan evacuated – Norway considers sending military personnel – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
