U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert as Smoke Fills the Sky in Khartoum, Sudan

Smoke filled the sky in Khartoum, Sudan on Saturday, as the U.S. Embassy issued a security alert warning American citizens to “shelter in place until further notice.” The alert came hours after the Sudanese military said it had agreed to guarantee evacuation requests made by the United States, Britain, France and China.

The Sudanese army said it was coordinating efforts to evacuate American, British, Chinese and French citizens and diplomats from Sudan on military aircraft, as the bloody fighting that has engulfed the vast African nation entered its second week. The military said its chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, had spoken to leaders of several countries who have requested safe evacuations of their citizens and diplomats from Sudan, and had agreed to provide the necessary assistance.

The alert from the U.S. Embassy said there was “incomplete information” about convoys traveling from the west African country’s capital Khartoum to the coastal city of Port Sudan. It also said that it was not currently safe to undertake a U.S. government-coordinated evacuation of private U.S. citizens.

The situation in Sudan has been escalating since April 11, when the military overthrew President Omar al-Bashir after months of protests against his 30-year rule. Since then, the military has been locked in a power struggle with protesters who have been demanding a civilian-led transition to democracy.

The violence has left dozens dead and hundreds injured, and the U.S. Embassy has warned American citizens to avoid all travel to Sudan. The embassy has also urged those in the country to remain in their homes and avoid large gatherings.