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Sudan: US prepares plans for possible embassy evacuation

As the fighting in Sudan continues, the US military is making contingency plans to potentially evacuate US diplomatic personnel from Khartoum.

This image grab taken from AFPTV video footage on April 20, 2023, shows an aerial view of black smoke rising above the Khartoum International Airport amid ongoing battles between the forces of two rival generals.
This image taken from AFPTV video footage on April 20, 2023, shows an aerial view of black smoke rising above the Khartoum International Airport amid ongoing battles between the forces of two rival generals. — AFP via Getty Images

WASHINGTON — As the fighting intensifies in Sudan, the US military is readying forces in Djibouti as it prepares contingency plans to potentially evacuate US Embassy personnel from Khartoum, Al-Monitor has learned.

American diplomats are sheltering in place as the death toll mounts from six days of fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). 

Pentagon spokesperson Lt. Col. Phil Ventura said Thursday that the US military is monitoring the situation and “conducting prudent planning for various contingencies.” 

“As part of this, we are deploying additional capabilities nearby in the region for contingency purposes related to securing and potentially facilitating the departure of US Embassy personnel from Sudan, if circumstances require it,” Ventura said in a statement. 

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