U.S. staff evacuated from embassy in Sudan, Americans left behind

Thousands of Americans are left stranded in Sudan after the White House evacuated embassy staff over the weekend.

The State Department ordered government employees and their families to depart the country because of armed civil conflict. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby says the situation devolved rapidly.

Around 16,000 Americans are under a shelter-in-place order. Most of these are either aid workers or hold dual citizenship. The U.S. says it’s not safe to rescue them at this time.

President Joe Biden says his team is looking to help Americans in Sudan “to the extent possible.” He promised to coordinate a rescue effort with U.S. allies.