President Joe Biden released a statement following the evacuations of U.S. Embassy personnel from violence-torn Sudan, calling the ongoing civil war "unconscionable" and exhorting "belligerent parties" to an immediate ceasefire. The conflict between the Sudanese government and the paramilitary Rapid Security Forces (RSF) began on April 15, leading to the death of at least 413 people, and injury estimates as high as 3,551. One U.S. citizen was killed during the conflict. The American, who was not identified, did not work for the U.S. Embassy.
The president confirmed that the U.S. has currently suspended all operations in the U.S. Embassy in Sudan as the country descends into a massive conflict. The president thanked embassy staff and the U.S. military who extracted Americans from the war-torn country early on Sunday morning. About 100 U.S. troops in three MH-47 helicopters carried out the operation. They airlifted all of roughly 70 remaining American employees from a landing zone at the embassy to an undisclosed location in Ethiopia. Ethiopia also provided overflight and refueling support.
According to a statement from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, U.S. special operations forces evacuated just under 100 American staff from the U.S. Embassy Saturday. No shots were fired, and no major casualties were reported. Biden went on to say he was receiving regular reports from his team on efforts to assist the remaining Americans in Sudan "to the extent possible."
In his statement, Biden called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and respect for the will of the people of Sudan. He added that the embassy has been temporarily closed but "our commitment to the Sudanese people and the future they want for themselves is unending."
U.S. Africa Command and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley were in contact with both warring factions before and during the operation to ensure that U.S. forces would have safe passage to conduct the evacuation. However, John Bass, a U.S. undersecretary of state, denied claims by the RSF that it assisted in the U.S. evacuation.
Biden also gave the order to evacuate the embassy from the embattled country with a few allied diplomats also being evacuated, State Department officials said in a telephonic news conference. "This tragic violence in Sudan has already cost the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians. It’s unconscionable, and it must stop," Biden wrote in a press release.
The conflict in Sudan has been ongoing for years, with various armed groups vying for control and fighting over scarce resources. The situation has been exacerbated by the political instability that followed the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The country has been in a state of transition since then, with hopes for a peaceful and democratic future.
The U.S. has been involved in efforts to support the transition, including providing aid and assistance to the Sudanese people. The recent evacuations are a setback to these efforts, and the situation in Sudan remains tense and uncertain. The U.S. and the international community must continue to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict and support the Sudanese people in their pursuit of a better future.
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