A U.S. government convoy carrying hundreds of American citizens arrived at Sudan’s port Saturday, according to the State Department.

The evacuation is part of a larger effort to relocate American citizens in the east African nation amid escalating violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces that has left over 500 dead.

When pressed Friday to confirm reports about the convoy, State Department officials declined to comment, citing operational security. Al-Monitor first reported on the convoy plan.

Eligible U.S. citizens and other evacuees would be assisted to travel from Port Sudan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the State Department statement said, emphasizing that the U.S. government has been in contact with all American nationals in Sudan who wished to leave.

“We messaged every U.S. citizen in Sudan who communicated with us during the crisis and provided specific instructions about joining this convoy to those who were interested in departing via the land route,” the statement said, before reiterating a warning that U.S. citizens should not travel to Sudan.

A Pentagon statement said the Defense Department “approved a request for assistance from the Department of State to support the safe departure of U.S. citizens and their immediate family members.”

Nahal Toosi contributed to this report.