The Ansar advance and the Beja rising in the east imperils commu­nications with Egypt and threatens to cut off garrisons at Khartoum, Kassala, Sinnar, and Sawakin (also seen as Suakin) and in the South.

To avoid being drawn into a costly intervention, the British govern­ment orders an Egyptian withdrawal from Sudan.

Gordon, who has been reappointed governor-general, arranges to supervise the evacua­tion of Egyptian troops and officials and all foreigners from Sudan.

However, after reaching Khartoum in February 1884, Gordon realizes that he cannot extricate the garrisons.

As a result, he calls for rein­forcements from Egypt to relieve Khartoum and recommends that al­Zubayr, an old enemy whom he recognizes as an excellent military commander, succeed him so disaffected Sudanese can have a leader other than the Mahdi to whom they can rally.

London rejects this plan, but Gordon argues that Sudan is essential to Egypt's security and that allowing an Ansar victory will invite the movement to spread elsewhere.