US Orders ‘Non-Emergency’ Personnel To Flee Tunisia, Sudan

As Muslim protests continue to rage in the Middle East, the United States government has issued an order asking all “non-emergency” personnel the countries of Tunisia and Sudan. American citizens abroad in the area are also asked to “keep a low profile” to avoid potentially violent backlash amid demonstrations in the region.

Though Newser reports that some of the demonstrations are dying down in some areas, terrorist group Al Qaeda is reportedly calling for more violence as four lives have been taken in Tunis and another two lost in Khartoum. The State Department issued an evacuation of non-essential personnel, and warned US citizens to stay out of both countries, reports AFP.

“Given the security situation in Tunis and Khartoum, the State Department has ordered the departure of all family members and non-emergency personnel from both posts,” said the statement released by the State Department.

The United States has also advised Americans currently in both countries to vary their travel times, keep their passports and visas up to date, and by and large avoid any political rally or public demonstration (even those that seem peaceful) for fear of anti-American reprisal thanks to one extremist’s extraordinarily offensive anti-Islamic film Innocence of Muslims and general unrest and anti-US sentiment in the area.

The State Department’s warning did note that the Sudan had already taken “some steps” in curbing the violence of the demonstrations, but that “elements of these groups remain” active in the area. Additionally, Tunisian officials have threatened to punish those involved in yesterday’s US embassy attack in the country.

Leaders within each country that has played host to violent anti-American attacks have roundly condemned the demonstrations, and at home, US officials are currently investigating producers of the anti-Islamic film that allegedly started it all, having taken one Nakoula Basseley Nakoula in for questioning earlier today.