No plans for US evacuation from Sudan, says White House

There were no plans for a US government evacuation from Sudan at the moment, the White House said on Monday. (Reuters)
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Updated 18 April 2023
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No plans for US evacuation from Sudan, says White House

  • US embassy sources in Sudan told Al Arabiya 100 bullets from RSF deliberately targeted one of its cars

LONDON: There were no plans for a US government evacuation from Sudan at the moment, the White House said on Monday.

The Biden administration’s national security spokesman John Kirby said, however, Americans should treat the volatile situation in the African country with utmost seriousness.

He added that all US personnel in Sudan were accounted for and that they were sheltering in place.

His comments came after sources from the US embassy in the country told Al Arabiya that 100 bullets from the Rapid Support Forces group deliberately targeted one of its cars.

Fighting between the Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary faction has killed around 200 people and wounded 1,800 after three days of urban warfare.

The United Nations has called for an immediate cease-fire and international bodies, including the European Union, have expressed grave concern.

Elsewhere on Monday, the European Union’s ambassador to Sudan was assaulted in his own residency, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell said in a tweet.

“This constitutes a gross violation of the Vienna Convention. Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law,” his tweet read.

He gave no further details on the incident.

The EU’s ambassador to Sudan is veteran Irish diplomat Aidan O’Hara. EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told AFP that he was “OK” following the assault.

“The security of the staff is our priority,” she said. “The EU delegation has not been evacuated. Security measures are being assessed.”

* With AFP and Reuters


UAE closes embassy in Tehran, withdraws ambassador

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UAE closes embassy in Tehran, withdraws ambassador

  • UAE foreign ministry said Iranian strikes represented serious and irresponsible escalation

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates closed its embassy in Tehran on Sunday and has withdrawn its ambassador and all diplomatic staff from Iran following Iranian missile strikes targeting the Gulf country.

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision came in response to what it described as “blatant Iranian missile attacks” on Emirati territory.

The ministry said the strikes targeted civilian sites, including residential areas, airports, ports and service facilities, and represented a serious and irresponsible escalation.

“These hostile attacks constitute a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and a clear breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations,” the statement said.

The ministry added that the move reflects the UAE’s “firm and unwavering stance against any aggression” that threatens its security and sovereignty. It accused Iran of continued hostile and provocative conduct that undermines de-escalation efforts and pushes the region toward a dangerous trajectory, threatening regional and international peace, energy security and global economic stability.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have faced hundreds of missile and drone attacks since Saturday, as Tehran retaliates against US-Israeli airstrikes. 

While the majority of the projectiles have reportedly been intercepted, there have been reports of casualties and damage in several areas of both cities.