The United States government has not yet made a decision about whether to evacuate US diplomatic personnel from Sudan, but preparations are continuing for a potential evacuation, multiple US officials said Friday.
Officials from the White House, State Department, and Defense Department stressed that they are closely monitoring the volatile situation in the country, where hundreds have been killed and injured since intense fighting between rival military factions broke out days ago. Humanitarian organizations have warned of massive consequences if the violence continues.
John Kirby, the communications coordinator for the National Security Council, said Friday that President Joe Biden would make the final decision on whether to evacuate American personnel who are posted in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.
“There has not been a decision made,” Kirby said. “It’s just a matter of making sure that we’re ready for it.”
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the commanders of warring parties – the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Security Forces (RSF) – to lay down their weapons this weekend in honor of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, and he reiterated that call on Friday.
Such a pause in the violence could present an opportunity for the US to get its personnel out of the country.
However, despite claims from both military factions that they had agreed to a ceasefire, there were reports of continued fighting in the capital city of Khartoum.
Even as the US government evaluates its options for an evacuation of the American personnel in Khartoum, American officials on Friday made clear that there were no plans at the moment to evacuate other American citizens there.
“Due to uncertain security situations in Khartoum and closure of the airport, Americans should have no expectation of a US…
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