Several countries are trying to get their citizens out of Sudan as a result of the ongoing violence. The US has evacuated its diplomats from the country and now France announces that it is launching an operation. The American Foreign Ministry confirmed the night before Sunday Swedish time that all personnel and their families had been evacuated, and that the embassy remains closed until further notice. Three helicopters were flown from Djibouti to Sudan and once on the ground, the operation must have gone quickly. The helicopters were on the ground for just under an hour, according to Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims. Several countries are working to try to get their diplomats and citizens out of Sudan. France announces on Sunday that it is launching a “rapid evacuation operation”. According to the French Foreign Ministry, it will help European citizens and people “from allied countries”. No further details about the evacuation are forthcoming. Internet down The Swedish government plans to send an armed force in an evacuation effort, it was announced on Saturday. However, when a possible evacuation may become relevant is unclear. At the same time, violence continues in Sudan. The internet was largely down overnight Sunday, according to Netblocks, which analyzes global internet traffic. Internet traffic in the country is only two percent of the usual level, the company states. A power struggle within the military regime in Sudan degenerated into great violence on Saturday 15 April. Since then, over 400 people have been killed and thousands injured, according to confirmed data from the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN estimates that over 20,000 people have fled Sudan and many of Khartoum’s five million inhabitants have left the city to seek refuge in smaller towns and villages. Unsuccessful cease-fires The UN has in turn appealed for a cease-fire. Earlier this week, two attempts were made, but they basically failed immediately. The night of Saturday was relatively calm, but during the day shelling continued on the streets of Khartoum. The fighting in the country is between the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary RSF (Rapid Support Forces) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
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