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By  Gary   Raynaldo       –  DIPLOMATIC   TIMES

WASHINGTON   DC  –   The U.S. has temporarily suspended operations at its Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan amid ongoing violence that has left hundreds dead. The U.S. military successfully evacuated American government employees from the embassy over the weekend. Two MH-47 Chinook helicopters took off from Camp Lemonnier in neighboring Djibouti, refueled in Ethiopia and flew into the Sudanese capital of Khartoum to evacuate the U.S. embassy where they were flown back to Djibouti, according to military sources.  There were just over 100 special operations personnel conducting the operation. The U.S. Marine Embassy guards were also evacuated, according to the Pentagon. 

“Suspending operations at one of our embassies is always a difficult decision, but the safety of our personnel is my first responsibility.  I directed this temporary action due to the serious and growing security risks created by the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.  The widespread fighting has caused significant numbers of civilian deaths and injuries and damage to essential infrastructure and posed an unacceptable risk to our Embassy personnel.”

-Secretary of State Antony Blinken

The Pentagon confirmed Friday that U.S. forces had deployed to Africa to assist with a evacuation of U.S. embassy personnel in Khartoum. However, thousands of American citizens are still believed to be in Sudan.  The U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Sudan, due to the current security situation, the embassy said in a statement. 

“Due to the uncertain security situation in Khartoum and closure of the airport, it is not currently safe to undertake a U.S. government-coordinated evacuation of private U.S. citizens.  However, we remain dedicated to assisting U.S. citizens remaining in Sudan. “

-U.S. Embassy Khartoum