UK troops are on standby to rescue thousands of Brits trapped in Sudan’s civil war.
Soldiers scrambled to an overseas base and are waiting for orders to swoop on Khartoum.
At least 400 people have died and thousands more have been injured since rival factions of Sudan’s army attacked each other.
A defence source said sending troops to the region "should be seen as prudent planning".
A fleet of RAF C-17 transport planes are also on standby to repeat Operation Pitting – the mass evacuation of Kabul in 2021.
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Details emerged as the Foreign Office issued an urgent appeal for Brits in Sudan to register their details online.
Diplomats advised UK nationals “to remain indoors and follow our travel advice for more updates”.
The Pentagon ordered extra troops to their Camp Lemmonier base in Djbouti after a US embassy convoy was attacked in in Khartoum on Monday.
US Defence Secretary Loyd Austin said yesterday: “We've deployed some forces into theatre to ensure that we provide as many options as possible if we are called on to do something.
He insisted: ”No decision on anything has been made."
Officials had hoped an Eid ceasefire would provide a window of safety.
But fighting continued yesterday.
Thousands of Brits and Sudan dual nationals are feared to be trapped in the war-torn country as deadly street battles rage in Khartoum and the western Darfur region.
The UN said up to 20,000 people have fled to neighbouring Chad as the Army and rival Rapid Support Forces attack each other with rifles, rockets and artillery.
