The US military is preparing to deploy additional forces in Djibouti for a possible mission to evacuate US embassy personnel in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, a senior US official confirmed to Fox News.
Embassy staff have been hiding on the spot since Saturday when gunfire and explosions erupted in the capital amid clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army. The two sides fight for control of the country, with 5 million city dwellers and US personnel caught in the crossfire.
Politico first reported plans to rescue embassy staff sheltering just eight miles from Khartoum International Airport. The airport has been rendered inoperative by fierce fighting, and military evacuation appears to be the only way for the 70 or so embassy employees to flee Sudan without serious danger to their lives.
According to Politico, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met privately with lawmakers Wednesday and said troops would move to Djibouti, where Camp Lemmonier is located, to give the Biden administration a chance to launch an evacuation operation. “Sherman stressed that the mission would only evacuate embassy staff and that there would be no military-led general evacuation of American citizens,” Politico reported.
CONFLICT IN SUDAN: US CARRIES OUT “PRAISE PLANNING” WHILE VIOLENCE ESCALES
This image, captured from AFPTV video footage on April 20, 2023, shows an aerial view of black smoke billowing over Khartoum International Airport amid ongoing fighting between the forces of two rival generals. (AFP via Getty Images)
“The Department of Defense, through US Africa Command, is monitoring the situation in Sudan and is conducting prudent planning,” Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. Phillip Ventura previously told Fox News. “The US military stands ready to support any number of missions around the world. For political and security reasons, we do not speculate on possible future operations or troop movements.”
“Inside Sudan, the Department of Defense’s mission is primarily focused on providing security at the US Embassy,” Ventura added. “While operational security prevents us from going into detail, the Department of Defense, through the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, provides ongoing security for diplomatic installations worldwide.”
THE BLOODY CONFLICT IN SUDAN CONTINUES DESPITE THE CARETIME AND INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE
Smoke rises above the horizon as a fire burns following a strike in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday April 16, 2023. Washington’s top diplomat said Tuesday, April 18, 2023, that a US embassy convoy in Sudan came under fire and denounced “indiscriminate military operations” as the country’s armed forces and a powerful rival carried heavy weapons for a fourth day unleashed in urban areas.(AP Photo/Abdullah Moneim)
The White House made similar comments on Wednesday, condemning the violence that killed at least 270 people and injured up to 2,600. The Sudan Doctors’ Union reported that nine hospitals were damaged and 16 evacuated during the fighting.
“The United States strongly condemns the violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces … and the Rapid Support Forces,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday, adding that the violence “recklessly” endangers the Sudanese people.
180 DEAD, NEARLY 2,000 INJURED DURING CONFLICT SUDAN RESIDENTS
This file composite image shows General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (L), the head of Sudan’s ruling military council, addressing his supporters at the 29th meeting with his supporters in Khartoum June 18, 2019.
Jean-Pierre encouraged Sudanese leaders to “engage immediately in dialogue” to ensure their country’s security.
An attempt at a ceasefire between the two armed forces failed on Wednesday. The 24-hour ceasefire was due to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday night, but eyewitnesses told Portal fighting was still going on.
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The conflict has dashed hopes for democracy in Sudan after decades of dictatorships. Bombings have been reported in central Khartoum, the country’s capital, as residents grapple with power outages and dwindling food supplies.
Fox News and Portal’ Andrea Vacchiano contributed to this report.