The US has arranged special operations near Ethiopia for the potential support of the US Embassy
According to what a defense official with direct knowledge of the matters described as “conservative planning,” three warships in the Middle East have also been placed on standby to assist in the operation. evacuate if that becomes necessary, although State Department officials have warned that there are no plans to carry out a large-scale military-led evacuation in Ethiopia.
A senior State Department official told reporters on Monday: “There are no plans to send US troops to Ethiopia to facilitate evacuations or to recreate the contingency effort that we have put in place. done recently in Afghanistan, it’s an exceptional situation for many reasons,” emphasizing that American citizens should depart immediately using available commercial flights.
“Of course, we’re always involved in contingency planning for hypotheticals, but again, with airports open, there’s no excuse for that,” they said.
In early November, the State Department ordered the non-emergency departure of US government employees and their family members from the US Embassy in Addis Ababa “due to armed conflict, unrest, civil unrest and potential supply shortages.”
The defense official with direct knowledge told CNN on Monday that three amphibious ships currently in the Middle East – the USS Essex, the USS Portland and the USS Pearl Harbor – were on standby and could be used. for potential civilian evacuation efforts. The U.S. does not anticipate a widespread evacuation of Americans at this time, but concerns have grown that even a small number may not be able to get to the airport and fly out, the official said. Commerce.
The US Embassy has issued regular warnings warning US citizens to leave, and in early November, the State Department raised its travel advice for Ethiopia to Level 4: Do not travel and issued clear instructions for those planning to travel or stay in the country, including drafting a will, leaving a DNA sample with a medical provider, and appointing someone as a contact point in case that individual is taken hostage.
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