US Confirms Second American Death in Sudan, Seeks Extended Ceasefire

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 20, 2023. (AP)
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 20, 2023. (AP)
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US Confirms Second American Death in Sudan, Seeks Extended Ceasefire

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 20, 2023. (AP)
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 20, 2023. (AP)

A second American has died in Sudan, the White House said on Wednesday, adding that it was helping a small number of US citizens seeking to leave the country amid ongoing clashes even as overall violence appeared significantly down.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby, speaking to reporters, said the Biden administration was continuing to work with both sides of the conflict to strengthen the ceasefire in order to allow in more humanitarian assistance.

"We urge both military factions" to abide by the ceasefire "and to further extend it," Kirby told reporters, adding that the violence "levels... generally appear to have gone significantly down."

"The levels are down, but we want to see the levels at zero," he added.

The White House's comments come as fighting between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces flared on the outskirts of the capital of Khartoum despite a truce aimed at quelling the 11-day conflict.

Kirby said US President Joe Biden "has asked for every conceivable option to help as many Americans as possible," and that it "was actively facilitating the departure of a relatively small number of Americans" who wanted to leave.

Some US citizens had arrived at Port Sudan to evacuate and were being supported, and the United States was continuing to support other limited evacuation efforts, he added.

USAID has deployed teams in the region and is prepared to help provide humanitarian assistance but any ceasefire would have to remain in place and be extended, Kirby told reporters.



US Sanctions Russia-Based Network for Helping Yemen’s Houthis

Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. (EPA)
Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. (EPA)
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US Sanctions Russia-Based Network for Helping Yemen’s Houthis

Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. (EPA)
Houthi supporters attend a protest against US airstrikes on Houthi positions, on al-Quds Day in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 March 2025. (EPA)

The United States imposed sanctions on Wednesday on Russia-based people and entities working to help procure weapons and commodities - including stolen Ukrainian grain - for Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, the Treasury Department said.

The operatives, who included Russia-based Afghan businessman Hushang Ghairat and his brother, Russia-based Afghan businessman Sohrab Ghairat, helped senior Houthi official Sa’id al-Jamal, procure millions of dollars’ worth of commodities from Russia for shipment to Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, Treasury said.

The goods included weapons and sensitive goods, as well as stolen Ukrainian grain, the department said in a statement.

"The Houthis remain reliant on Sa’id al-Jamal and his network to procure critical goods to supply the group’s terrorist war machine," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. "Today’s action underscores our commitment to degrading the Houthis’ ability to threaten the region through their destabilizing activities."