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Sudan fighting: Special forces airlift US diplomats from Sudan Sudan fighting: Special forces airlift US diplomats from Sudan
(32 minutes later)
Saudi Arabia welcomed evacuees at Jeddah Sea Port with sweets and roses on SaturdaySaudi Arabia welcomed evacuees at Jeddah Sea Port with sweets and roses on Saturday
The US military has evacuated American diplomats and their families from Khartoum, President Joe Biden has said.The US military has evacuated American diplomats and their families from Khartoum, President Joe Biden has said.
The operation was "fast and clean", a US official said.The operation was "fast and clean", a US official said.
Fewer than 100 people were reportedly evacuated early on Sunday, when three Chinook helicopters landed near the US embassy to collect them.Fewer than 100 people were reportedly evacuated early on Sunday, when three Chinook helicopters landed near the US embassy to collect them.
The French ministry of foreign affairs announced it was also beginning to evacuate its citizens and diplomatic staff from the country. The French ministry of foreign affairs announced it was also evacuating its citizens and nationals of other EU and allied countries.
However, both Sudan's regular army and its opponents - a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - have said that the evacuation convoy was fired at after leaving the French embassy and had to turn back. They blamed each other for the attack.However, both Sudan's regular army and its opponents - a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - have said that the evacuation convoy was fired at after leaving the French embassy and had to turn back. They blamed each other for the attack.
One French national was reportedly injured and French authorities have not yet commented.One French national was reportedly injured and French authorities have not yet commented.
The Netherlands has also joined an international effort to evacuate its citizens from Sudan, working with a team from Jordan to "get Dutch people out of there as quickly and safely as possible," the Dutch foreign minister said on Twitter.The Netherlands has also joined an international effort to evacuate its citizens from Sudan, working with a team from Jordan to "get Dutch people out of there as quickly and safely as possible," the Dutch foreign minister said on Twitter.
Fierce violence erupted earlier this month in Khartoum between two opposing armies.Fierce violence erupted earlier this month in Khartoum between two opposing armies.
The power struggle between Sudan's regular army and the RSF has seen heavy bombardment in the capital city, with hundreds killed and thousands more injured.The power struggle between Sudan's regular army and the RSF has seen heavy bombardment in the capital city, with hundreds killed and thousands more injured.
"Today, on my orders, the United States military conducted an operation to extract US government personnel from Khartoum," Mr Biden said in a statement."Today, on my orders, the United States military conducted an operation to extract US government personnel from Khartoum," Mr Biden said in a statement.
In a call with reporters after the mission, Lt Gen Douglas Sims said more than 100 US troops from the Navy Seals and Army Special Forces flew from Djibouti to Ethiopia and then into Sudan, and were on the ground for less than an hour.In a call with reporters after the mission, Lt Gen Douglas Sims said more than 100 US troops from the Navy Seals and Army Special Forces flew from Djibouti to Ethiopia and then into Sudan, and were on the ground for less than an hour.
Although there is no sign of a formal ceasefire, it does appear that the paramilitary group, the RSF, agreed not to shoot at the American helicopters during their mission.Although there is no sign of a formal ceasefire, it does appear that the paramilitary group, the RSF, agreed not to shoot at the American helicopters during their mission.
Mr Biden thanked Djibouti, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, saying they had been "critical to the success of our operation", and he warmly praised the US embassy staff and military.Mr Biden thanked Djibouti, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, saying they had been "critical to the success of our operation", and he warmly praised the US embassy staff and military.
The US embassy in Khartoum is now closed, and a tweet on its official feed says it is not safe enough for the government to evacuate private US citizens.The US embassy in Khartoum is now closed, and a tweet on its official feed says it is not safe enough for the government to evacuate private US citizens.
It was the second evacuation of foreign citizens since violence erupted in Sudan's capital last week.It was the second evacuation of foreign citizens since violence erupted in Sudan's capital last week.
On Saturday, more than 150 citizens, diplomats and international officials were evacuated by sea to the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah. They were mostly citizens of Gulf countries, as well as Egypt, Pakistan and Canada.On Saturday, more than 150 citizens, diplomats and international officials were evacuated by sea to the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah. They were mostly citizens of Gulf countries, as well as Egypt, Pakistan and Canada.
In a statement, Mr Biden condemned the fighting, calling on the rival armies to implement an immediate ceasefire and allow humanitarian access.In a statement, Mr Biden condemned the fighting, calling on the rival armies to implement an immediate ceasefire and allow humanitarian access.
The UK says it is considering ways to evacuate its staff. A hotline has been set up for those who need urgent help, and UK citizens in Sudan are being urged to tell the Foreign Office where they are.The UK says it is considering ways to evacuate its staff. A hotline has been set up for those who need urgent help, and UK citizens in Sudan are being urged to tell the Foreign Office where they are.
Any UK evacuation is expected to be very limited and focus on diplomatic staff - not comparable to the mass evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021.Any UK evacuation is expected to be very limited and focus on diplomatic staff - not comparable to the mass evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021.
Meanwhile the Canadian government has told its citizens in Sudan to "shelter in a safe place", keep their phones charged, doors and windows locked and "consider leaving the country if there's a safe means to do so".Meanwhile the Canadian government has told its citizens in Sudan to "shelter in a safe place", keep their phones charged, doors and windows locked and "consider leaving the country if there's a safe means to do so".
There have been desperate calls for help from many foreign students - from Africa, Asia and the Middle East - who are also stuck in Khartoum, a city of some 6 million people.There have been desperate calls for help from many foreign students - from Africa, Asia and the Middle East - who are also stuck in Khartoum, a city of some 6 million people.
MAPS: Khartoum violence mapped as civilians fleeMAPS: Khartoum violence mapped as civilians flee
UNSUNG HEROES: How food and medicines are being deliveredUNSUNG HEROES: How food and medicines are being delivered
SIMPLE GUIDE: What is going on in Sudan?SIMPLE GUIDE: What is going on in Sudan?
The near-constant shooting and bombing in Khartoum and elsewhere has cut electricity and safe access to food and water for much of the population.The near-constant shooting and bombing in Khartoum and elsewhere has cut electricity and safe access to food and water for much of the population.
Several ceasefires that had seemingly been agreed by both sides were ignored, including a three-day pause to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which started on Friday.Several ceasefires that had seemingly been agreed by both sides were ignored, including a three-day pause to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which started on Friday.
The World Health Organization says the fighting has killed more than 400 people and injured thousands. But the death toll is believed to be much higher as people struggle to reach hospitals.The World Health Organization says the fighting has killed more than 400 people and injured thousands. But the death toll is believed to be much higher as people struggle to reach hospitals.
UK citizens stranded and frustratedUK citizens stranded and frustrated
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chaired an emergency government Cobra meeting on Saturday to assess the Sudan crisis and more talks are expected on Sunday.UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chaired an emergency government Cobra meeting on Saturday to assess the Sudan crisis and more talks are expected on Sunday.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has cut short a Pacific tour and is returning to London.Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has cut short a Pacific tour and is returning to London.
Some UK nationals trapped in Sudan have voiced frustration and anxiety over the absence of an airlift.Some UK nationals trapped in Sudan have voiced frustration and anxiety over the absence of an airlift.
Briton Iman Abu Garga, visiting Khartoum, said she had registered herself and her two children, as instructed, "and since then - nothing".Briton Iman Abu Garga, visiting Khartoum, said she had registered herself and her two children, as instructed, "and since then - nothing".
"We have no idea about timescale or timeframe. We have no idea what it's going to look like. Are we going to be airlifted out of Khartoum airport? Are we going to have to go by road? It's just utterly frustrating that there is no human contact whatsoever," she complained."We have no idea about timescale or timeframe. We have no idea what it's going to look like. Are we going to be airlifted out of Khartoum airport? Are we going to have to go by road? It's just utterly frustrating that there is no human contact whatsoever," she complained.
Another British citizen in Khartoum told the BBC she felt "completely abandoned" by the UK government, saying she had not been given "much information at all" about possible evacuation plans.Another British citizen in Khartoum told the BBC she felt "completely abandoned" by the UK government, saying she had not been given "much information at all" about possible evacuation plans.
Watch: Shocking sounds of heavy bombardment in Sudanese capital KhartoumWatch: Shocking sounds of heavy bombardment in Sudanese capital Khartoum
Watch: Shocking sounds of heavy bombardment in Sudanese capital KhartoumWatch: Shocking sounds of heavy bombardment in Sudanese capital Khartoum
On Saturday a Sudanese army statement said the head of the regular army, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, had agreed to facilitate and secure foreigners' evacuation "in the coming hours".On Saturday a Sudanese army statement said the head of the regular army, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, had agreed to facilitate and secure foreigners' evacuation "in the coming hours".
It said British, US, French and Chinese nationals and diplomats would be evacuated by air on board military transport planes from Khartoum.It said British, US, French and Chinese nationals and diplomats would be evacuated by air on board military transport planes from Khartoum.
The UK government said it was "doing everything possible to support British nationals and diplomatic staff in Khartoum".The UK government said it was "doing everything possible to support British nationals and diplomatic staff in Khartoum".
Along with Khartoum, the western region of Darfur, where the RSF first emerged, has also been badly affected by the fighting.Along with Khartoum, the western region of Darfur, where the RSF first emerged, has also been badly affected by the fighting.
The UN has warned that up to 20,000 people - mostly women and children - have fled Sudan to seek safety in Chad, across the border from Darfur.The UN has warned that up to 20,000 people - mostly women and children - have fled Sudan to seek safety in Chad, across the border from Darfur.
Are you are British citizen in Sudan? If it is safe to do so, share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you are British citizen in Sudan? If it is safe to do so, share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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Related TopicsRelated Topics
Sudan crisisSudan crisis
UK governmentUK government
SudanSudan
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
United StatesUnited States
CanadaCanada
Joe BidenJoe Biden