At least one US citizen among the 400-plus killed in Sudan warring, as both sides declare ceasefire

The State Department said Friday that one U.S. citizen is among the 400-plus people who have been killing in the armed conflict in Sudan that also has the agency ready to close the United States embassy in the northeast Africa country. 

The conflict started Saturday as Sudan Armed Forces leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is Sudan’s military ruler, and Rapid Support Force Commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo vie for control of the country, according to CNN. 

The RSF paramilitary group declared a ceasefire Thursday that was almost immediately broken. However, both sides reportedly declare a new one Friday for the Muslim holiday of Eid, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

In addition to the deaths, 3,551 people have been injured and thousands have fled the country, the World Health Organization reports.

At least nine children are among the dead, and the number of child casualties "will continue to rise as long as fighting continues” said James Elder, a UNICEF spokesman at a United Nations briefing Friday in Geneva.

The warring and related danger in the region has prevented humanitarian and other aid groups from helping those in need.

On Thursday, the U.S government said it would deploy "additional capabilities" to prepare for a potential embassy evacuation. And hundreds of Marines have been employed to nearby Djibouti. 

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Thursday no evacuation has been ordered, but President Biden has authorized the U.S. military to move forward with pre-positioning forces and to develop options in case there’s a need.

There are an estimated 16,000 American citizens in Sudan, most of whom are dual nationals, told officials to CNN.