The likelihood of evacuating Westerners caught up in hostilities in Sudan is increasing

The two rival forces battling for control in Sudan have both said they are ready to help evacuate foreign nationals, raising hopes international powers could soon rescue stranded citizens. Sudan’s army has agreed to facilitate the evacuation of nationals and diplomats from a number of countries, while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have said they are ready to partially reopen all airports in Sudan to air traffic to allow countries to evacuate their nationals. Fighting broke out last Saturday between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. More than 400 people have been killed and 3,550 injured in the fighting, and the humanitarian situation is worsening. Up to 20,000 refugees have arrived in neighboring Chad, the UN says.

The announcements on evacuations came as fresh clashes between the two groups shattered a three-day ceasefire declared for the Muslim holiday of Eid. Saudi Arabia has announced its evacuation efforts from Sudan, along with several nationals of brotherly and friendly countries. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna has discussed the current situation and the possibility of opening evacuation corridors. A British government evacuation effort of UK diplomats and nationals will not be happening imminently. The European Union estimates 1,500 citizens from various EU countries are currently in Sudan.

The US State Department has estimated 16,000 American citizens in Sudan, most of whom are dual nationals. The State Department is in close contact with its embassy in Khartoum and has “full accountability of our personnel.”