‘We are increasingly terrified’: Mass. mother, young daughter trapped in war-torn Sudan
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By Frank O'Laughlin
ASHLAND, Mass. — A Massachusetts mother and her young daughter are currently stranded in war-torn Sudan as concerned family members fear for their safety.
Trillian Clifford, a native of Ashland, is a teacher at an international school in Sudan’s capital city of Khartoum, her sister-in-law, Rebecca Winter, told CNN.
“We’re in a very awful holding pattern because Trillian’s been told by both the U.S. Embassy and the international school that she works for that she has to shelter in place and that she should not accept any offers for private evacuation,” Winter said. “She is just struck waiting right now in fear.”
Winter said Clifford and her 18-month-old daughter, Alma, have been hiding out for about 10 days as Sudanese armed forces and the rival paramilitary force continue to clash in Khartoum. Initially, Winter was able to stay in touch with Clifford. That’s not the case anymore.
“Internet has been out in Sudan for a while now. Unfortunately, in the last 18 hours or so, we’ve completely lost contact with Trillian as the cell networks are now down in Sudan as well,” Winter explained. “We are increasingly terrified.”
Sudan has been inapolitical crisis since its long-serving ruler was overthrown in April 2019, the BBC reported. In 2021, rival generals joined forces to seize power in a coup, the Associated Press reported.
Djibouti France Sudan This photo provided by the French Army shows French citizens after arriving in Djibouti, Sunday, April 23, 2023. Two French military planes evacuating about 200 people from multiple countries left Khartoum on Sunday for Djibouti as France urged all parties to stop fighting and return to political dialogue, in a statement by the Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry. (Etat Major des Armies via AP) (Uncredited)
Djibouti France Sudan This photo provided by the French Army shows military nurses taking care of French citizen after arriving in Djibouti, Sunday, April 23, 2023. Two French military planes evacuating about 200 people from multiple countries left Khartoum on Sunday for Djibouti as France urged all parties to stop fighting and return to political dialogue, in a statement by the Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry. (Etat Major des Armies via AP) (Uncredited)
Jordan Sudan Jordanians evacuated form Sudan arrive to a military airport in Amman, Jordan, Monday, April 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh) (Raad Adayleh)
Jordan Sudan Jordanians evacuated from Sudan arrive at a military airport in Amman, Jordan, Monday, April 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh) (Raad Adayleh)
Germany Sudan An Air Force Airbus carrying German citizens evacuated from Sudan lands at Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Schonefeld, Germany, Monday, April 24, 2023. (J'rg Carstensen/dpa via AP) (J'rg Carstensen)
Jordan Sudan Jordanians evacuated from Sudan arrive at a military airport in Amman, Jordan, Monday, April 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh) (Raad Adayleh)
Germany Sudan An Air Force Airbus carrying German citizens evacuated from Sudan lands at Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Schonefeld, Germany, Monday, April 24, 2023. (J'rg Carstensen/dpa via AP) (J'rg Carstensen)
Germany Sudan An Air Force Airbus carrying German citizens evacuated from Sudan lands at Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Schonefeld, Germany, Monday, April 24, 2023. (J'rg Carstensen/dpa via AP) (J'rg Carstensen)
Jordan Sudan Jordanians evacuated from Sudan arrive at a military airport in Amman, Jordan, Monday, April 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh) (Raad Adayleh)
Sudan In this image from video provided by the Italian Defense Ministry, military personnel prepare to evacuate people from the airport in Khartoum, Sudan, on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Foreign nationals were flown out of the country, as forces loyal to rival generals battled for control of Africa's third-largest nation for a ninth day amid fading hopes for deescalation. (Italian Defense Ministry via AP) (Uncredited)
Sudan In this image from video provided by the French Armed Forces, military personnel load belongings of evacuees onto a plane at the airport in Khartoum, Sudan, on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Foreign nationals were flown out of the country, as forces loyal to rival generals battled for control of Africa's third-largest nation for a ninth day amid fading hopes for deescalation. (French Armed Forces via AP) (Uncredited)
Sudan Smoke is seen in Khartoum, Sudan, Saturday, April 22, 2023. The fighting in the capital between the Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces resumed after an internationally brokered cease-fire failed. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Smoke is seen in Khartoum, Sudan, Saturday, April 22, 2023. The fighting in the capital between the Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces resumed after an internationally brokered cease-fire failed. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan In this photo provided by Maheen S , smoke fills the sky in Khartoum, Sudan, near Doha International Hospital on Friday, April 21, 2023. The Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, typically filled with prayer, celebration and feasting — was a somber one in Sudan, as gunshots rang out across the capital of Khartoum and heavy smoke billowed over the skyline. (Maheen S via AP) (Uncredited)
Sudan In this photo provided by Maheen S , smoke fills the sky in Khartoum, Sudan, near Doha International Hospital on Friday, April 21, 2023. The Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, typically filled with prayer, celebration and feasting — was a somber one in Sudan, as gunshots rang out across the capital of Khartoum and heavy smoke billowed over the skyline. (Maheen S via AP) (Uncredited)
Sudan Eid al-Fitr People attend Eid al-Firtr prayer in Khartoum, Sudan, Friday, April 21, 2023. Eid al-Fitr holiday, that marks the end of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, is marked by faithful as gunshots rang out across the capital of Khartoum and heavy smoke billowed over the skyline. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Eid al-Fitr People attend Eid al-Firtr prayer in Khartoum, Sudan, Friday, April 21, 2023. Eid al-Fitr holiday, that marks the end of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, is marked by faithful as gunshots rang out across the capital of Khartoum and heavy smoke billowed over the skyline. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Eid al-Fitr People attend Eid al-Firtr prayer in Khartoum, Sudan, Friday, April 21, 2023. Eid al-Fitr holiday, that marks the end of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, is marked by faithful as gunshots rang out across the capital of Khartoum and heavy smoke billowed over the skyline. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Egypt Eid Al-Fitr Egyptian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, April 21, 2023. Large parts of the Muslim world marked the end of the fasting month of Ramadan at sundown Thursday and started Friday the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, but the festivities were overshadowed by raging battles in Sudan and a deadly stampede in Yemen. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (Amr Nabil)
Sudan In this image made from video provided Friday, April 21, 2023, by the Sudan Armed Forces, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, speaks at an undisclosed location. Sudan's top general said Friday the military is committed to a transition to civilian rule, in his first speech since brutal fighting between his forces and the country's powerful paramilitary began nearly a week ago. (Sudan Armed Forces via AP) (Uncredited)
Sudan A destroyed military vehicle is seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan A destroyed vehicle is seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Residential buildings damaged in fighting are seen in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Destroyed military vehicles are seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan A destroyed military vehicle is seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Residential buildings damaged in fighting are seen in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Residential buildings damaged in fighting are seen in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Destroyed military vehicles are seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan A destroyed military vehicle is seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Destroyed military vehicles are seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Smoke is seen in Khartoum, Sudan, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Terrified Sudanese are fleeing their homes in the capital Khartoum, witnesses say, after an internationally brokered cease-fire failed and rival forces battled in the capital for a fifth day. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Sudan Smoke is seen in Khartoum, Sudan, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Terrified Sudanese are fleeing their homes in the capital Khartoum, witnesses say, after an internationally brokered cease-fire failed and rival forces battled in the capital for a fifth day. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) (Marwan Ali)
Winter added that Clifford loves working as an international teacher and that she feels like “raising her daughter in an international environment is a wonderful gift for her.”
At this time, Winter and other family members are concerned that Alma is not going to get the nutrition and hydration that she needs.
“They were near the end of their nursing journey, and she is now reverse-weaning Alma so that she can ensure she has nutrition,” Winter explained. “Now the flip side of that is to be a nursing mother. You need to be getting more calories yourself. She doesn’t have more calories to eat right now. She does not know when her next food and water drop will happen or if it will happen.”
The AP reported that foreign governments have been airlifting hundreds of their diplomats and other citizens to safety.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.