After several days of violence in Sudan, the unstable ceasefire continues.
US special forces have rescued Americans near the embassy in the capital, Khartoum, and other countries’ governments are also evacuating their citizens.
Although the US helped negotiate a three-day truce, there are fears that outside influences could help restart fighting.
The Pentagon is evaluating many options to facilitate the evacuation of Americans. At least 16,000 Americans, many of them dual citizens, remain in the country and may need troops on the ground to get them out.
Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that “U.S. Africa Command and the Department of Defense continue to work closely with the State Department’s leadership to assist American citizens who wish to leave Sudan.”
With two US Navy ships on standby off the coast, the Pentagon is also providing assistance to those traveling by land to reach evacuation sites.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan explained. “We have deployed ISR assets, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance assets on the ground evacuation route to help facilitate safe ground travel from Khartoum to Port Sudan. And we’re starting to see it more regularly. pattern of columns is starting to arrive.
The White House stresses that there are “currently” no American boots in Sudan, although before the cease-fire was announced, US special forces, including Seal Team Six, briefly landed in the country to rescue Americans near the US embassy. That operation was successful.
Ryder said: “US forces executed this mission with precision and professionalism.”
Meanwhile, other countries are also conducting large-scale evacuations and cooperating with each other to evacuate their citizens.
Simon Fraser, the former head of the British diplomatic service, explained: “These situations are very difficult for foreign governments to manage. Because the situation on the ground is a complex situation that is chaotic. There is great risk and danger.”
The World Health Organization is now warning of an extremely dangerous situation. In Sudan, fighters have seized a national laboratory containing samples of diseases such as polio and measles.
Outside groups are reportedly further destabilizing the region by supporting two generals fighting each other for control of Sudan, which the US says must stop.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted. “We are deeply concerned about the involvement of the Prigogine group, the Wagner group in Sudan. It is in many different countries and in Africa, an element that, when it is involved, just brings and brings more death. destruction with it.’
More than 400 people may have been killed since the fighting began, and nearly 4,000 injured.