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Sudan fighting: Special forces airlift US diplomats from Sudan Sudan fighting: Diplomats and foreign nationals evacuated
(about 2 hours later)
Saudi Arabia welcomed evacuees at Jeddah Sea Port with sweets and roses on Saturday A convoy was seen on Sunday thought to be evacuating UN staff from Sudan
The US military has evacuated American diplomats and their families from Khartoum, President Joe Biden has said. Several countries have evacuated diplomats and citizens from Sudan's capital as fierce fighting continues to rage in Khartoum.
The operation was "fast and clean", a US official said. The US and UK announced on Sunday they had flown diplomats out of the country.
Fewer than 100 people were reportedly evacuated early on Sunday, when three Chinook helicopters landed near the US embassy to collect them. Italy, Belgium, Turkey, Japan and the Netherlands said they were also organising evacuations, starting on Sunday.
The French ministry of foreign affairs announced it was also evacuating its citizens and nationals of other EU and allied countries. A French convoy reportedly came under fire while trying to leave the embassy and had to turn back.
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. Sudan's regular army and its opponents - a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - blamed each other for the attack.
Speaking to the BBC, French authorities refused to comment on whether an attack had taken place - but they did say that the French military based in Djibouti is involved in the operation and that the aim is to get the evacuees to Djibouti. Speaking to the BBC, French authorities refused to comment on whether an attack had taken place - but they did say that the French military based in Djibouti was involved in the operation and that the aim was to get the evacuees to Djibouti.
The Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, Belgium and Japan also say they have begun operations to evacuate their citizens. The French ministry of foreign affairs said it was also evacuating its citizens and nationals of other EU and allied countries.
Meanwhile, there are reports that internet connectivity has almost totally collapsed in Sudan, which could seriously hinder the coordination of help for those trapped in Khartoum and other cities. US authorities said they had airlifted fewer than 100 people with Chinook helicopters on Sunday morning in a "fast and clean" operation.
The power struggle has seen heavy bombardment in the capital city, with hundreds killed and thousands more injured.
US embassy airlift
"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 formal ceasefire, it appears that the RSF agreed not to shoot at the American helicopters during their mission.Although there is no formal ceasefire, it appears that 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". He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan.
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 on 15 April. The UK flew diplomats and their families, including some children, out of the country from an airfield outside Khartoum. Other UK nationals still in Sudan have been urged by the government to tell the Foreign Office where they are, but Foreign Minister James Cleverly said options to evacuate them were "severely limited".
On Saturday, more than 150 people, mostly citizens of Gulf countries, as well as Egypt, Pakistan and Canada were evacuated by sea to the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah.On Saturday, more than 150 people, mostly citizens of Gulf countries, as well as Egypt, Pakistan and Canada were evacuated by sea to the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah.
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. Meanwhile, there are reports that internet connectivity has almost totally collapsed in Sudan, which could seriously hinder the coordination of help for those trapped in Khartoum and other cities.
The Canadian government has told its remaining 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". The power struggle has seen heavy bombardment in the capital city, with hundreds killed and thousands more injured.
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 six 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 six 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
ANALYSIS: The two generals fighting over Sudan's future
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 are struggling to get healthcare, as most of the city's hospitals have been forced to close by the fighting.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 are struggling to get healthcare, as most of the city's hospitals have been forced to close by the fighting.
UK 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.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has cut short a Pacific tour and is returning to London.
Watch: Shocking sounds of heavy bombardment in Sudanese capital Khartoum
Watch: Shocking sounds of heavy bombardment in Sudanese capital Khartoum
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".
"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.
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.
Watch: Shocking sounds of heavy bombardment in Sudanese capital Khartoum
Watch: Shocking sounds of heavy bombardment in Sudanese capital Khartoum
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