An evacuation convoy organized by the U.S. government has reached the Sudanese port city of Port Sudan, carrying American citizens, foreign nationals, and locally-employed staff. The exact number of Americans on the convoy is currently unknown. The evacuation operation comes amid continued fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has endangered civilians. The U.S. is assisting citizens and eligible persons with onward travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is urging Americans not to travel to Sudan.

Less than 5,000 citizens had requested additional information from the U.S. and only a fraction had sought assistance to depart Sudan, according to State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a request for assistance from the State Department in supporting the safe departure of U.S. citizens and their immediate families.

Last week, U.S. forces airlifted dozens of diplomats and other personnel out of Khartoum on three MH-47 Chinook helicopters. On Saturday, the caravan carrying Americans to Port Sudan was protected by armed drones and tracked overhead throughout the journey.