US Navy deploys two ships off Sudan's coast to evacuate citizens
After evacuating US Embassy staff from Khartoum, the United States has deployed two Navy ships to Sudan’s coast to be ready in case asked to facilitate civilian evacuations.
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has dispatched two Navy ships to Sudan’s eastern coast to facilitate the evacuation of US citizens who have already reached Port Sudan, top officials said Monday.
The USS Truxtun, an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer, has arrived off Port Sudan, while the floating base USS Puller remained en route, Pentagon Press Secretary USAF Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Monday afternoon.
The United States evacuated nearly 70 personnel from its embassy in Khartoum on Saturday night. An estimated 16,000 US citizens remain in Sudan, though US officials said relatively few Americans are looking to leave the country.
Why it matters: The two vessels will remain off Sudan’s coast awaiting further orders from Washington for evacuation assistance, Ryder said.
