Fleeing Sudan: Countries evacuate diplomats, civilians

Nations are helping their citizens evacuate from Sudan as fighting continues between the military and a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces.

The World Health Organization says that more than 400 people have been killed since the heavy fighting erupted in the northeastern African nation on April 15.

The Sudanese military and the RSF agreed to a three-day truce on Friday, a Muslim holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. But fighting continued over the weekend.

Japan's Self-Defense Force Aircraft stand by in Djibouti

Japan is trying to fly 60 nationals to safety. Three Self-Defense Forces aircraft landed at Djibouti's international airport on Saturday. Sources say Japanese nationals in Sudan's capital are heading to a different city where they can be picked up by SDF aircraft.

Japan has sent three Air Self-Defense Force aircraft to Djibouti.

Japan's Prime Minister, Kishida Fumio, told reporters on Monday morning that his government is making the utmost efforts to secure the safety of Japanese nationals and evacuate them in close coordination with other countries.

Japan's Prime Minister says he is getting updates on the situation in Sudan as needed.

He declined to give details, saying it involves the safety of citizens. But Kishida added that they will announce what they can when the local situation becomes clear.

US Embassy personnel evacuated

The United States says government personnel and their families were evacuated from its embassy in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, on Sunday.

Pentagon and State Department officials say US military aircraft, including three transport helicopters, flew to Khartoum from Djibouti via Ethiopia for the operation.

They say fewer than 100 people were evacuated, including a small number of people of other nationalities.

France evacuates 100 people

The French government announced on Sunday that its first military transport plane from Sudan has arrived in Djibouti carrying about 100 people.

It includes French citizens as well as those of other European Union member countries and diplomats of the EU mission in Sudan.

Footage taken at a French military base in Djibouti shows dozens of people walking accompanied by soldiers after disembarking from a transport plane.

Sudan's military says a convoy of vehicles from the French Embassy in Khartoum was attacked. The French government has yet to comment.

Canada suspends diplomatic operations

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter on Sunday afternoon that his country had completed the evacuation of diplomats: "We've temporarily suspended Canada's operations in Sudan. Our diplomats are safe, they have been extracted and are working from outside the country."

Canadian public broadcaster CBC says nearly 1,600 Canadians are believed to be living in Sudan.

Trudeau said the government is looking at every possible option to support Canadians in Sudan. He said they are extremely concerned by the dangerous and rapidly evolving situation on the ground, and the officials are staying in contact with affected Canadians.

He called on all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire and to engage in mediation efforts with their regional partners.

Germany proceeds with evacuation

Germany's defense ministry tweeted on Sunday that its armed forces are proceeding with an operation to evacuate German citizens.

The government says more than 150 German nationals are in Sudan. It also says it will do what it can to evacuate citizens of other countries.

Germany's defense ministry tweeted photos of its soldiers boarding an aircraft

UNICEF vehicles leaving Khartoum

The French news agency AFP has distributed a video showing a convoy of more than 10 UNICEF cars and buses leaving Khartoum. It says the convoy was heading to Port Sudan, a port city facing the Red Sea, about 700 kilometers from the capital.