U.S. evacuates embassy in Sudan

The army evacuated diplomatic staff from the embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, this weekend.

President Biden said he is working with remaining allies and partners in the civil war-torn country. He also stated that his team continues to work to "assist Americans in Sudan, to the extent possible."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported that the embassy's operations had been suspended, but that the government would continue to assist remaining Americans.

Neither the president nor the secretary of state mentioned a possible similar plan for American civilians in the African country. The Pentagon had warned last Friday that it was not contemplating such a solution.

According to various sources, including the Open Source Intelligence Monitor, the operation was carried out by Special Forces. At least 70 Americans were reportedly evacuated by helicopter.

The Department of Defense reported in a press release that service members spent less than an hour on the ground and that "the operation was quick and clean." The U.S. Africa Command was in charge of the operation.

Although the opposing sides did not agree to a formal ceasefire during the evacuation, the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly agreed not to attack the U.S. vehicles, according to BBC. There have been reports that internet connectivity was "almost totally collapsed" during the operation.

European news outlets reported that the Netherlands and France also carried out evacuation efforts.