Jordan to Host Talks on Syria’s Return to Arab League
Arab World
Asharq Al-Awsat
Flags are seen ahead of the Arab League Summit in Algiers, Algeria, Nov. 1, 2022. (Reuters)
Jordan will host a meeting of Arab foreign ministers and Syria's top diplomat on Monday to discuss Syria's return to the Arab League as part of a broader political settlement of Syria's more than decade-old conflict, officials said. The meeting, to be attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and his counterparts from Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, would discuss a Jordanian plan to achieve a political settlement of the conflict, Jordanian government officials said. The meeting comes two weeks after talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, on Syria's possible return to the Arab fold. It is the first such meeting with a top Syrian official by a group of Arab states - most of whom endorsed the move to suspend Syria's membership of the League in 2011 after a crackdown on protesters denouncing President Bashar al-Assad's authoritarian rule escalated into a devastating civil war. Arab states and those most affected by the conflict are trying to reach consensus on whether to invite Assad to the Arab League summit on May 19 in Riyadh, to discuss the pace of normalizing ties with Assad and on what terms Syria could be allowed back. Officials said the Jordanian initiative calls on Damascus to engage with Arab governments collectively on a step-by-step road map to end the conflict. It would include tackling the issue of refugees, the fate of thousands of missing detainees, drug smuggling between Syria and beyond and the presence of Iranian militias in Syria. At the Jeddah meeting there was resistance to the move to invite Assad to the Arab League summit, with Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait saying it was premature before Damascus accepts to negotiate a peace plan.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4303876/jordan-host-talks-syria%E2%80%99s-return-arab-league
Evacuees, Refugees from Sudan Catch Their Breath in Egypt’s Abu Simbel
Features
Egyptian-Sudanese border – Abdul Fattah Faraj
Vehicles transporting evacuees and refugees are seen at Abu Simbel. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt’s Abu Simbel city has become a temporary resting place for refugees and evacuees from Sudan that has been gripped by fighting between its army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Abu Simbel is one of the rest stops for droves of buses and vans of evacuees making their journey from Sudanese areas to Egypt. Once they enter Egypt, they will make yet another journey to Cairo where they can be flown home. Islam, 4, is one of ten children on a bus from Khartoum. The children are unaware of the circumstances that forced their families to hastily leave Khartoum and to spend a couple of days at the Egyptian and Sudanese borders before being allowed to continue their journey to safety. A bus driver, Mohammed, has been working the Khartoum-Aswan route since 2019. He spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat about how the evacuees and refugees are being exploited to make the crossing to Egypt. The prices of all goods have doubled, forcing some Sudanese families to bring their own food and water from Khartoum, he revealed, while also noting he “modest” services on the Sudanese side of the border. On his latest journey, he said that he drove the bus some 900 kilometers inside northern Sudan towards the Argeen crossing. However, the heavy flow of refugees forced him to change routes and head to Wadi Halfa and then Egypt’s Qastal port. “We were forced to remain at the crossing for two days due to the massive number of refugees,” he remarked. Mustafa Othman is a Sudanese university student living in Saudi Arabia. Exhausted, he said he hadn't slept for an entire week. “This whole week has felt like a year,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. He was accompanying his father on a visit to Khartoum when the conflict erupted. The fighting forced the suspension of flights out of Khartoum, and he sought an alternative option with his father that would take him to Saudi Arabia from Egypt. Before the conflict, Abu Simbel was a quiet tourist destination of some 10,000 residents. Now, it has become a transit point for refugees and evacuees. Asharq Al-Awsat caught up with an Indian family that was resting in Abu Simbel before heading to Aswan city. They have booked a flight from Cairo to Mumbai. The head of the family worked as an English teacher in Khartoum. “We sought the fastest way back home and found Egypt to be the best route in spite of the influx at the borders,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. Taxi and private car drivers have exploited the influx by raising their fares. Before the crisis, a fare would have cost some 2,000 Egyptian pounds (1USD is equivalent to 31 Egyptian pounds). Now, a journey across the Argeen or Qastal crossings costs 5,000 pounds. Abu Simbel International Hospital has also received patients suffering from chronic diseases. Among them is Zeinab, 65, who had suffered a stroke during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Her daughter told Asharq Al-Awsat that they fled Khartoum two days ago and were transported by private ambulance to Wadi Halfa. An Egyptian ambulance took them to Egypt through the Qastal crossing. The daughter said that once her mother receives a health check, the pair will head to Cairo to reunite with her brother who has been living in the capital for five years. Hospital Director Mohammed Abu Wafa told Asharq Al-Awsat that facility was prepared to receive more patients among the refugees. It has so far treated people who have suffered from exhaustion and complications from chronic diseases, especially among the elderly. They will head to Aswan as soon as they receive the necessary health care.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4302341/evacuees-refugees-sudan-catch-their-breath-egypt%E2%80%99s-abu-simbel
Two Civilians Killed in Ukrainian Shelling on Russia's Bryansk
World
Asharq Al-Awsat
FILE PHOTO: A Ukrainian serviceman rides inside a BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle on a road to the front line town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine April 21, 2023. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova/File Photo
Two civilians died as a result of Ukrainian shelling on a village in Russia's Bryansk region on Saturday evening, a local governor said. "According to preliminary information, one residential building was completely destroyed, two more houses were partially destroyed," Governor Alexander Bogomaz said on the Telegram messaging app. "Emergency services continue to work at the scene." Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia and on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the 14-month-old Russian invasion on Ukraine.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4302331/two-civilians-killed-ukrainian-shelling-russias-bryansk
Ukraine Says it Controls Key Supply Route into Bakhmut
World
Asharq Al-Awsat
Ukrainian servicemen clean the cannon of their tank on a position near the frontline city of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, on April 29, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
Ukraine remains in control of a key supply route into Bakhmut, a military spokesperson said on Saturday. Russian forces have been trying for 10 months to punch their way into the shattered remains of what was once a city of 70,000. Kyiv has pledged to defend Bakhmut, which Russia sees as a stepping stone to attacking other cities. "For several weeks, the Russians have been talking about seizing the 'road of life,' as well as about constant fire control over it," Serhiy Cherevatyi, a spokesperson for Ukrainian troops in the east, said in an interview with local news website Dzerkalo Tyzhnia. "Yes, it is really difficult there ... (but) the defense forces have not allowed the Russians to 'cut off' our logistics." The "road of life" is a vital road between the ruined Bakhmut and the nearby town Chasiv Yar to the west - a distance of just over 17 km (10.56 miles). Ukraine's top military command said in its daily update on Sunday that its forces had repelled 58 Russian attacks over the past day along the part of frontline stretching from Bakhmut through Avdiivka and on to Maryinka further south in the Donetsk region.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4302316/ukraine-says-it-controls-key-supply-route-bakhmut
Damascus - Asharq Al-Awsat
This photo released by ImageSat International on September 7, 2022, shows Syria’s Aleppo International Airport after an airstrike attributed to Israel. (ImageSat International)
Three civilians were wounded Saturday in Israeli airstrikes near the Syrian city of Homs, Syrian state media reported, with a war monitor saying a Hezbollah munitions depot was hit. "At around 00:50 (2150 GMT)... the Israeli enemy carried out an air attack with a number of missiles, from the direction of north Lebanon, targeting several positions in the vicinity of the city of Homs," state news agency SANA reported. "Three civilians were wounded and a civilian petrol station caught fire and a number of fuel tanks and trucks were burned," it said, adding that Syrian air defenses had intercepted some of the missiles. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel "destroyed a munitions depot belonging to Lebanon's Hezbollah at the Dabaa military airport" in the countryside of Homs province. Without reporting any casualties, it said there were "loud explosions as the munitions in the depot blew up, with fires seen burning at the site." On April 2, Israel carried out similar strikes targeting a Hezbollah depot in the Dabaa airport area, the Observatory had said, killing two pro-Iran fighters and wounding five soldiers. The same day, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant repeated Israel's often repeated charge that Iranians are "attempting to entrench themselves in Syria and Lebanon." "We will not allow the Iranians and Hezbollah to harm us. We have not allowed it in the past, we won’t allow it now, or anytime in the future. When necessary -- we will push them out of Syria to where they belong -- and that is Iran," he told troops in the occupied West Bank.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4302286/israel-bombs-syria-hezbollah-depot
Syrian Opposition Proposes Transfer of Refugees in Lebanon to ‘Liberated Regions’
Arab World
Idlib - Firas Karam
Syrians in Azaz protest the forced deportations of refugees from Lebanon. (Azaz social media)
Opposition civilian and political groups in Syria’s northwest announced their complete readiness to receive Syrian refugees from Lebanon in liberated Syrian regions in wake of the violations and forced deportation they are facing in the neighboring country. The “Political Affairs Administration” in the opposition-held Idlib region and the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group said on Friday that they were prepared to welcome over two million refugees in Lebanon who are threatened with forced deportation to regime-held regions where their lives could be at risk. In a statement, they urged Lebanese authorities to return to reason and their humanitarian and moral duties towards civilian refugees in line with international laws and norms that ensure their protection. They added that the Syrians were initially forced to leave their country given the violence of President Bashar al-Assad's regime against them. Nearly two million Syrians have sought refuge in Lebanon to escape imprisonment or death. Now, the refugees in Lebanon are coming under systematic verbal and physical violence. They are victims of government decisions of forced deportation that have not taken into account the consequences they will face by the Assad regime once they return, they continued. The groups said they are “fully prepared” to receive the refugees in liberated Syrian regions in the north. The practices of the Lebanese authorities prompted popular protests and rallies in the cities of Azaz, al-Bab and Afrin in the Idlib countryside and in Idlib city. Seif Hammoud, who was displaced from the Homs countryside to Azaz, said he fears for the life of his parents and siblings, who are living in a refugee camp in Lebanon’s Baalbek region, should they be deported to regime-controlled regions. Syria’s northwest is home to tens of thousands of Syrians who have been displaced from across the war-torn country. Hammoud spoke of the fears of other families over their loved ones in Lebanon. He criticized the United Nations for failing to come up with a mechanism that protects the refugees in Lebanon from the violations, detentions and insults they are facing. The regime has arrested dozens of Syrians who had previously been forcibly deported, he revealed. Syrian activists on social media discussed the refugee crisis, with the majority agreeing that the best solution lies in their return to opposition-held regions. In recent weeks, the Lebanese army had carried out a campaign against Syrian refugees throughout the country, arresting 450 people and deporting over 60 to Syria, revealed informed sources.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4302281/syrian-opposition-proposes-transfer-refugees-lebanon-%E2%80%98liberated-regions%E2%80%99
The BBC in the Cross Hairs from the Left and Right
Opinion
Mark Landler
Mark Landler -
Deepening the political turmoil that has engulfed Britain’s public broadcaster, the chairman of the BBC, Richard Sharp, resigned on Friday after an investigation concluded that he failed to disclose his involvement in arranging a nearly $1 million loan for Boris Johnson while he was prime minister. Mr. Sharp, a former banker at Goldman Sachs and major donor to Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party, said in a video statement before the report’s release that the omission was “inadvertent and not material,” but that he had decided to step down from the broadcaster’s board to “prioritize the interests of the BBC.” His departure intensifies the pressure on the BBC, a revered institution that once anchored Britain’s media with its reliable public funding and commitment to impartial journalism, but now seems to lurch from crisis to crisis. In an era of polarized politics and freewheeling social media, the broadcaster has found itself in the cross hairs from both the left and right — whether for its news coverage, which Conservatives say violates its credo of political impartiality, or for its recent internal decision-making, which some on the left say is influenced by not wanting to offend the Conservative lawmakers in power. Last month, the BBC ignited a national firestorm by suspending Gary Lineker, a former soccer star and its most prominent broadcaster, after he went on Twitter to liken the government’s immigration policy to that of Germany in the 1930s. His suspension triggered a walkout of much of the BBC’s sports staff in solidarity with Mr. Lineker, and forced it to broadcast “Match of the Day,” its flagship weekly soccer program, without commentary. The BBC settled the dispute by vowing to review its policies governing the use of social media by its on-air personalities. But the episode threw a harsh spotlight on Mr. Sharp because he refused to step down from his post, even though he was being investigated over his role in the loan to Mr. Johnson. His compromised position also meant he could not defend the BBC at a time when it was coming under fierce criticism — both for the haphazard enforcement of its social media guidelines, as well as for the settlement with Mr. Lineker, which many Conservatives derided as a capitulation. That Mr. Sharp, 67, played a role in shoring up the personal finances of a prime minister has added to the perception of a conflict of interest in the governance of Britain’s most important media institution. In the 25-page report, Adam Heppinstall, a barrister, identified two cases that he said “gave rise” to potential perceived conflicts. In one, he said Mr. Sharp told Mr. Johnson of his plan to apply for the post of BBC chairman before he submitted a formal application in November 2020. In the other, more serious case, Mr. Sharp told Mr. Johnson that he planned to introduce a wealthy Canadian businessman, Sam Blyth, to a senior government official, who could help arrange a loan for Mr. Johnson. Mr. Blyth, a distant cousin of Mr. Johnson, had volunteered to act as guarantor for the loan of 800,000 pounds ($996,000) to the prime minister, whose finances were being strained by a recent divorce and a new family. Mr. Sharp’s involvement did not extend further than that. But Mr. Heppinstall concluded there was a risk that his selection for the chairman’s post would be perceived as a reward for his assistance to Mr. Johnson. Mr. Heppinstall also cited the risk that Mr. Sharp would not be viewed as independent once in the job. His investigation did not assess the propriety of Mr. Johnson seeking the loan while in office. Mr. Johnson’s finances were frequently under scrutiny during his turbulent three years in Downing Street. He paid for a lavish refurbishment of his official apartment with funds from another party donor, prompting an outcry that motivated him to pick up the tab himself. In an interview with Sky News in January, Mr. Johnson said Mr. Sharp “knows absolutely nothing about my personal finances.” Mr. Johnson, who has long derided the BBC for its political correctness, dismissed the matter as “just another example of the BBC disappearing up its own fundament.” Still, the reports of Mr. Sharp’s involvement in the loan prompted calls by the opposition Labour Party for his resignation. The current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, distanced himself from Mr. Sharp, even though the two had once worked together at Goldman, where Mr. Sunak was a young banker before going into politics. On Friday, a spokesman for Downing Street said Mr. Sharp’s decision to resign was “a matter for him and the BBC.” In his statement, Mr. Sharp said he was gratified that the report confirmed the limited nature of his involvement in the loan. But he said he regretted not raising it with an appointments panel before he took the post of chairman. “I wish, with the benefit of hindsight, this potential perceived conflict of interest was something I had considered to mention,” Mr. Sharp said. “I would like once again to apologize for that oversight — inadvertent though it was — and for the distraction these events have caused the BBC.” For the broadcaster, the resignation is the latest in a string of episodes that, depending on one’s political vantage point, raise questions about its impartiality or its determination not to antagonize an already hostile government. In 2020, the BBC announced it would strip lyrics from two well-known patriotic songs during an annual televised concert, drawing outrage from Mr. Johnson. The lyrics, some said, evoked a British colonial past and were at odds with the Black Lives Matter movement then sweeping the Western nations. The BBC later reversed the decision. In 2021, the government assailed the BBC after one of its hosts mocked a cabinet minister for appearing in an interview with a large Union Jack behind him. A few days later, the government decreed that the flag should fly on all public buildings every day of the year, rather than simply on designated days. The New York Times
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4302256/mark-landler/bbc-cross-hairs-left-and-right
Najib Saab
Najib Saab - Secretary-General of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) and editor-in-chief of Environment & Development magazine
The solution to addressing the problem of depletion and exhausting natural resources has traditionally been to search for new resources, by adopting innovative technological methods. But it turns out that limiting the solution to increasing production in order to meet increased consumption puts the world in a vicious circle. Continuing to move around the problem, rather than facing it head on, not only prolongs it, but also increases its complexity. The root of the problem is that humanity's ecological footprint exceeds the ability of natural systems to supply more resources and absorb waste, without destroying the environment. While the ecological footprint of the world today exceeds the sustainable limit by 80 percent, it is 100% in the Arab region. That is, our consumption exceeds twice the limits that allow nature to regenerate in order to continue to meet human needs. Since the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) published these figures in 2012 in its first study on the ecological footprint in Arab countries, entitled "Survival Options", some still question the results. They argue that people have continued to live years after exceeding the maximum limits, which proves that natural systems are flexible and able to adapt. However, this understanding is distorted and has no solid base, because everything we spend today that exceeds nature's ability to regenerate, or the pollutants we discard on land, in the air and at sea that exceed its ability to absorb, is being taken away from the reserve deposit that it stores for future generations. If governments can deal with the accumulation of financial debts by printing more banknotes, until such a time that revenues rise, it is impossible to "print" new banknotes to pay the bill of a bankrupt nature, when it loses resources that cannot be regenerated. Technology is necessary to solve many environmental problems, but not in isolation from modifying consumption patterns. For example, increasing food production in most Arab countries is not possible without the dissemination of modern technologies, from improving the quality of seeds to the use of appropriate types of fertilizers and pesticides, to modernizing equipment and machinery in the processes of cultivation, harvesting, transportation, food industries and storage. However, focusing on increasing production quantities only, puts some of the issues that precede it in the back seat, foremost of which is enhancing production efficiency and limiting crop damage during transportation and storage, alongside promoting alternative types of food with ingredients that can be produced in dry and hot regions and require less water for irrigation. A report on food security issued by AFED found that crop damage in the post-harvest stages reaches 25 percent in the Arab region, and that the amount of imported grains that perish during storage is equivalent to 40 percent of local production of similar crops. Moreover, the selection of crops suitable for specific regions, along with the use of efficient irrigation methods, can lead to doubling the production with a large saving in water for irrigation, as per the golden rule: "More Crop per Drop." What is true for food applies to energy, water and many other issues in our lives. Flawed use of electric cars, as well as photovoltaic cells for the production of electricity, are two examples of consumerism patterns, even when adopting renewable systems, in isolation from changing habits. Satisfying the desire of a segment of consumers to ride in fast, luxurious cars prompted manufacturers to produce large, four-wheel-drive vehicles that run on electricity. These meet the market's greed on the one hand, and, in theory, abide by new requirements to shift away from the use of fossil fuel in internal combustion engines to reduce carbon emissions. However, building large electric cars consumes a large amount of natural resources, and emits carbon in the manufacturing phase that may exceed emissions of traditional internal combustion engines. They also require, due to their size and weight, larger batteries, rather than using the capacity of the battery to increase the distance that the car can travel after each electric charge. Moreover, many tend to increase consumption when switching to home-produced solar electricity, as it is cheap and 'clean', which in turn increases the use of raw materials to manufacture larger quantities of collectors and batteries. If appropriate measures are not adopted to rationalize the use of energy, whatever its source, extend the life span of solar panels and batteries, and limit the size and power of electric cars according to people's needs, instead of building large cars with fast engines, we will have canceled the benefits of the transition to clean electricity. Electricity from the sun, wind, or any other source requires the use of precious raw materials to manufacture panels, turbines, distribution networks, and storage batteries, and it is not a free gift. When the "cleaning up" of production processes is not accompanied by a radical change in consumption patterns, the world is threatened with losing all the supposed savings. For years, many hotels have placed notices in the rooms, asking guests to "help conserve natural resources and protect the environment, by saving water and not putting towels and bed linen to wash daily if they are not dirty." The idea is sound and logical, because washing towels and linens at home, for example, is usually done once a week, so why wash them daily for a guest who is using a hotel room for one week or less? However, what is certain is that hotels include in their costs the daily washing of everything that is placed in the room. And because guests know this, and as is human nature, they often choose not to save water, considering that they are already paying for it anyway. I was impressed by an initiative launched by a modest French hotel that I visited recently, which turns ideals and slogans into practical application. The hotel management committed to provide a cup of tea, coffee, or any other drink in the hotel restaurant for every day that the guest does not send the towels to the laundry; adding to that a sandwich or dessert if the bed linens were not washed either. The beneficial lesson here is that protecting the environment is done in deeds not words, and through measures that combine deterrents with incentives, not just advice and good intentions, no matter how noble they may be. Najib Saab is Secretary General of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development- AFED and Editor-in-Chief of Environment & Development magazine.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4302201/najib-saab/changing-lifestyle-preserve-life
Cairo – Fathia al-Dakhakhni
A part of the public concert in the city of Arish in Sinai (concert video)
Egyptian artist Mohamed Mounir organized a public concert called “One Nation” in the city of Arish on Friday evening, in a bid to promote stability and security in Egypt’s Sinai region. The concert was the first of its kind to be held in the city, which has been plagued by the impact of terrorism for years. On January 25, 2011, protests erupted in Egypt that ultimately led to the removal of former President Hosni Mubarak. Concurrently, the Sinai Peninsula experienced a security lapse, as terrorist organizations targeted military, police, and civilian personnel with attacks. Eventually, Egypt declared victory in its fight against terrorism. North Sinai Governor Mohamed Abdel Fadil Shosha announced in an official statement that the concert was part of the celebrations marking the national holiday of North Sinai and the 41st anniversary of the liberation of the region. He also disclosed that several other developmental projects would be inaugurated in various sectors across different centers and cities of the governorate in the upcoming week. Brigadier Samir Faraj, a military and strategic expert, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the concert by Mounir, along with the camel festival, demonstrates the stability of the security situation in Sinai and adds to the growing signs of a return to normalcy in the region. He also noted that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s Iftar with soldiers, officers, and Sinai elders was the first time an Egyptian president had joined military personnel and officers for breaking fast in Sinai. Faraj also mentioned that “for years, the triangle of Rafah, Arish, and Sheikh Zuweid had been a death triangle for anyone who tried to move within it, and a curfew was imposed there before the situation stabilized and the Egyptian Armed Forces were able to defeat terrorism.” He pointed out that “the area has not witnessed any terrorist attacks over the past two and a half years.”
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4300961/egypt-promotes-sinai-security-concert
Damascus – Asharq Al-Awsat
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (AFP)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Damascus next week, a senior regional source close to the Syrian government told Reuters on Friday. The visit will be the first by an Iranian president to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since war broke out in Syria in 2011. Syrian newspaper “Al-Watan” confirmed that Raisi would visit Damascus next Wednesday in the first official visit by an Iranian president since 2010. The newspaper cited informed sources as saying that during a two-day visit, Raisi and Assad will hold official talks aimed at enhancing strategic cooperation between the two countries, “especially in the economic field.” According to Al-Watan, a significant number of agreements and MoUs on economic cooperation between the two countries will be signed during the visit. The visit by the Iranian president comes just days after Assad received Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash, and accepted the credentials of Hossein Akbari, Iran’s new ambassador to Syria. Assad has visited Tehran twice since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Iran is a key supporter of Assad's regime, having provided it with weapons, thousands of military advisers, and armed militia members from various countries who are now deployed in military bases spread across Syria. Israeli strikes have repeatedly targeted Iranian and affiliated militia presence in Syria to prevent the arrival of advanced weapons. The proliferation of Iranian militias in Syria also created tension with the US and the international coalition it is leading to fight ISIS in the east of the country. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “Iranian militias” have brought in howitzers and Grad rocket launchers loaded on four-wheel drive vehicles, towards the “Soleimani” base located near the fields in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour. The move aims to reinforce their military power and establish their presence in the area.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4300881/raisi-begin-damascus-visit-wednesday
Iran’s FM: Lebanese Presidential Elections Are an Internal Matter, We Support Consensus
Arab World
Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian among his entourage during his visit to the Lebanese border town of Maroun al-Ras (Asharq Al-Awsat)
From Beirut, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian declared on Friday an agreement to reopen the Iranian and Saudi embassies in Riyadh and Tehran in the coming days. The top diplomat expressed his belief that dialogue between the two nations could positively impact the region and Lebanon. He also stated that influential political forces in Lebanon possess the capacity to elect a president for the country. Amir-Abdollahian emphasized Iran’s support for a consensus and agreement among the Lebanese. The minister’s statements came during a press conference held yesterday at the end of his two-day visit to Beirut, during which he met with several officials, lawmakers, and Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah. Amir-Abdollahian also visited the border town of Maroun al-Ras in southern Lebanon, accompanied by Hezbollah officials and lawmakers, where he toured the border area. At the presser, the minister announced an agreement to reopen the Iranian and Saudi embassies in Riyadh and Tehran. He also mentioned preparations for a visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Syria in the near future. “We believe that influential Lebanese political forces have the capability and necessary efficiency to complete the political process and elect a president for the republic,” stated Amir-Abdollahian. “We support consensus and agreement among the Lebanese, and Iran will welcome any distinguished Lebanese figure who reaches the presidency through consensus,” he added. Amir-Abdollahian stressed that “Iran did not and will not interfere in the Lebanese election of a president, and when the Lebanese agree on any person, Iran will support it strongly.” He added that “electing a president for the republic is an internal Lebanese matter, and it is up to the Lebanese to decide for themselves.” Amir-Abdollahian also emphasized that Iran prioritizes openness and communication with neighboring countries and that the recent positive developments between Iran and Saudi Arabia are beneficial not only for the two countries but for the entire region.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4300866/iran%E2%80%99s-fm-lebanese-presidential-elections-are-internal-matter-we-support
'Extremely Bitter' as Dortmund Hand Bayern Title Advantage
Sports
Asharq Al-Awsat
Dortmund midfielder Emre Can signals to the referee in his side's match away at Bochum on Friday. INA FASSBENDER / AFP
Borussia Dortmund handed the advantage in the Bundesliga title race back to Bayern Munich on Friday after being held to a 1-1 draw at lowly Bochum. Bochum, who sit one spot and just two points above the relegation zone, scored after just five minutes, Anthony Losilla unleashing a screamer from outside the box, said AFP. Dortmund hit back immediately, Germany forward Karim Adeyemi tapping in after a length-of-the-field team move to make it 1-1. With the match winding down, Adeyemi looked to have won a penalty for the visiting side when brought down in the box by Danilo Soares, but the referee waved the incident away. Dortmund were camped in the Bochum penalty area in the final minutes and had the ball in the net through Mats Hummels, but the linesman's flag went up immediately, with the defender standing half a meter offside. Bayern can go one point clear in their bid for an 11th straight title by winning at home against last-placed Hertha Berlin on Sunday. Dortmund manager Edin Terzic lamented the "extremely bitter" result as his side had a "rare chance to be so close to the championship." Terzic said the referee's failure to check the Adeyemi penalty incident was "a key scene" in the draw, revealing to broadcaster DAZN "I begged him to look at it." His Bochum counterpart Thomas Letsch toasted "the style and manner the team fought" saying "that's what we need in a relegation battle." Disappointed Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel said his side "had the title in our own hands, but couldn't make the most of it." "We need to look forward, keep fighting and win our next game." Dortmund came into the match knowing a win would send them four points clear. But they arrived winless in their last five away matches in all competitions and faced a Bochum side kept out of the relegation places due to their strong home form. Bochum made the most of a nervy start from the visitors, Losilla latching onto a poor Dortmund clearance to rocket the ball across Gregor Kobel and into the top left of the net. Terzic booked Dortmund hit back 90 seconds later, Hummels curling a long pass to winger Donyell Malen on the right flank, who slipped his defender and sent the ball across. Striker Sebastien Haller got a toe to the pass, guiding it into the path of Adeyemi, who tapped it in to level the scores. Midway through the second half, Adeyemi went down in the box under heavy attention from Soares, but the referee waved the incident away without checking the VAR monitor. With time winding down, Edin Terzic brought on fresh legs, including captain Marco Reus and teenage striker Youssoufa Moukoko. Moukoko, who scored a brace when the two sides met earlier in the season, almost had an immediate impact, forcing a reflex save from Manuel Riemann. Riemann saved Bochum again less than a minute later, getting an outstretched hand to a curling shot from English teenager Jude Bellingham. With one minute remaining, Hummels sent the visiting fans into raptures when he headed the ball into the goal, but his effort was chalked out for offside, a decision which will be celebrated in the Bavarian capital. Terzic remonstrated with the referee, who went over to the sideline to explain the decision to the Dortmund boss, giving the protesting coach a yellow card in the process.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4300731/extremely-bitter-dortmund-hand-bayern-title-advantage
Sudan’s Army Says RSF Hit Turkish Evacuation Plane
Arab World
Asharq Al-Awsat
A burned vehicle is seen in Khartoum, Sudan April 26, 2023. (Reuters)
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shot at a Turkish evacuation plane as it was landing at Wadi Seyidna airport outside Khartoum on Friday, damaging its fuel system, Sudan's army said. Hundreds have died and tens of thousands of people have fled in two weeks of conflict between the army and its rival. The two factions agreed late on Thursday to prolong a ceasefire by 72 hours to allow for humanitarian access, but fighting flared in parts of the capital Khartoum on Friday, according to eyewitnesses and live video broadcasts. Türkiye’s defense ministry confirmed that a Turkish evacuation plane had been fired at and said there were no injuries. The RSF denied firing at the plane and said the army was "spreading lies". "Our forces have remained strictly committed to the humanitarian truce that we agreed upon since midnight, and it is not true that we targeted any aircraft in the sky of Wadi Seyidna in Omdurman," the RSF said in a statement. The Sudanese army said the plane was being repaired.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4299146/sudan%E2%80%99s-army-says-rsf-hit-turkish-evacuation-plane
OPEC: We Do Not Target Oil Prices, IEA Should be 'Very Careful'
Business
London, Moscow – Asharq Al-Awsat
A US Chevron oil tanker is seen at a port in Venezuela. (Reuters)
The International Energy Agency (IEA) should be "very careful" about discouraging investment in the oil industry, which was vital for global economic growth, announced OPEC Secretary General Haitham al-Ghais. Ghais warned that such statements could lead to oil market volatility in the future. He said that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia, a group known as OPEC+, were not targeting oil prices but focusing on market fundamentals. He warned that finger-pointing and misrepresenting the actions of the oil exporters and their allies was "counter-productive." IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol has been critical of the OPEC+ group's surprise announcement of production cuts of 1.66 million barrels per day (bpd) from May until the end of 2023. In an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Birol said OPEC should be careful about pushing oil prices up as that would translate into a weaker global economy. If anything would lead to future volatility, it is the IEA's repeated calls to stop investing in oil, knowing that all data-driven outlooks envisage the need for more of this precious commodity to fuel global economic growth and prosperity in the decades to come, especially in the developing world, added Birol. On Thursday, Ghais said blaming oil for inflation was "erroneous and technically incorrect" and that the IEA's repeated calls to stop investing in oil is what would lead to market volatility. Saudi Arabia also blamed the IEA and its initial predictions for a 3 million bpd fall in Russian production on the back of the Ukraine invasion last year for Washington's decision to sell oil from its reserves. Russian Deputy Prime Alexander Novak said on Thursday that the OPEC+ group of leading oil producers saw no need for further output cuts despite lower-than-expected Chinese demand but that the organization can constantly adjust policy if necessary. He stressed that Russia reached its targeted output this month after announcing cuts of 500,000 bpd, or five percent of its oil production, until the year-end. Russia is part of the OPEC+ group of oil-producing countries that announced a combined reduction of around 1.16 million bpd earlier this month, a surprise decision the US described as unwise. Novak added that Russian oil and gas condensate production is expected to decline to around 515 million tons (10.3 million bpd) this year from 535 million tons in 2022, broadly in line with a Reuters report this week. Asked if the group needed to lower its output further because of falling oil prices, Novak replied: "Well, no, of course not because we only made a decision (on the reduction) a month ago, and it will come into force from May for those countries that have joined." He added that OPEC+ did not expect a shortage in oil supplies in global markets after production cuts, as expected by the International Energy Agency. Russia maintained its oil production and exports by increasing sales outside of Europe following the severe Western sanctions over the Ukraine war. Novak said that Russia would this year divert to Asia 140 million tons of oil and oil products that previously would have headed to Europe. He also said Russia would supply 80 million tons and 90 million tons of oil and oil products to the West in 2023. Meanwhile, oil prices rose on Thursday, recouping earlier losses fueled by fears of a recession in the US and increased Russian oil exports, which offset the impact of OPEC production cuts. New orders for key US-manufactured capital goods fell more than expected in March, and shipments declined. US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showing US crude inventories fell last week by 5.1 million barrels to 460.9 million barrels helped to limit the price fall, far exceeding analyst forecasts of a 1.5 million drop in a Reuters poll. OPEC's share of India's oil imports fell fastest in 2022/23 to the lowest in at least 22 years, as intake of cheaper Russian oil surged, data from industry sources show. Sources said that oil loading from western Russian ports in April would be the highest since 2019, exceeding 2.4 million bpd, despite Moscow's pledge to reduce production. Moscow has also increased fuel supplies to Türkiye, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4299126/opec-we-do-not-target-oil-prices-iea-should-be-very-careful
Asharq Al-Awsat
European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 1, 2023.REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo
Companies deploying generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, will have to disclose any copyrighted material used to develop their systems, according to an early EU agreement that could pave the way for the world's first comprehensive laws governing the technology. The European Commission began drafting the AI Act nearly two years ago to regulate emerging artificial intelligence technology, which underwent a boom in investment and popularity following the release of OpenAI's AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT, Reuters said. Members of the European Parliament agreed to push the draft through to the next stage, the trilogue, during which EU lawmakers and member states will thrash out the final details of the bill. Under the proposals, AI tools will be classified according to their perceived risk level: from minimal through to limited, high, and unacceptable. Areas of concern could include biometric surveillance, spreading misinformation or discriminatory language. While high-risk tools will not be banned, those using them will need to be highly transparent in their operations. Companies deploying generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT or image generator Midjourney, will also have to disclose any copyrighted material used to develop their systems. This provision was a late addition drawn up within the past two weeks, according to a source familiar with discussions. Some committee members initially proposed banning copyrighted material being used to train generative AI models altogether, the source said, but this was abandoned in favor of a transparency requirement. "Against conservative wishes for more surveillance and leftist fantasies of over-regulation, parliament found a solid compromise that would regulate AI proportionately, protect citizens' rights, as well as foster innovation and boost the economy," said Svenja Hahn, a European Parliament deputy. Macquarie analyst Fred Havemeyer said the EU's proposal was "tactful" rather than a "ban first, and ask questions later" approach proposed by some. "The EU has been on the frontier of regulating AI technology," he told Reuters. RACE TO MARKET Microsoft-backed OpenAI provoked awe and anxiety around the world when it unveiled ChatGPT late last year. The chatbot became the fastest-growing consumer application in history, reaching 100 million monthly active users in a matter of weeks. The ensuing race among tech companies to bring generative AI products to market concerned some onlookers, with Twitter-owner Elon Musk backing a proposal to halt development of such systems for six months. Shortly after signing the letter, the Financial Times reported Musk was planning to launch his own startup to rival OpenAI.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4298996/eu-proposes-new-copyright-rules-generative-ai
Egypt, Austria Agree to Address Roots of 'Illegal Immigration'
Arab World
Cairo - Asharq Al-Awsat
President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi with the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer (Egyptian Presidency)
Egypt and Austria agreed on Thursday to address the "illegal immigration" issue and its economic and social roots. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi received the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer, at al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in Cairo, agreeing to intensify bilateral talks to reach a future framework for cooperation in immigration and addressing its economic and social roots. Sisi expressed Egypt's sincere appreciation of its good relations with Austria, which he said it highly values. "These relations have always been based on mutual respect, genuine endeavors to extend bridges of friendship, and a joint commitment to strengthening our political, economic, and cultural bonds," said the President. He explained to the Federal Chancellor the scale of Egypt's efforts to host nine million guests, living on its land and enjoying all essential services available to Egyptian citizens without discrimination or distinction. Sisi noted that as part of Egypt's open dialogue with its partners, he was keen on informing the Federal Chancellor of the severe and persistent steps the authorities took regarding human rights from a comprehensive perspective and an integrated approach. The approach aims to enable Egyptian citizens to exercise their political, economic, and social rights, as stipulated in the Egyptian Constitution, through the National Human Rights Strategy, which the state implements along several axes. "I stressed Egypt's constant readiness to engage in dialogue and constructive cooperation with its partners on this important file." Sisi added that discussions with the Austrian chancellor also focused on boosting the economic exchange between the two countries. "We aim to achieve a remarkable growth in the volume of trade between the two countries and attract more Austrian investments into Egypt, which is traditionally considered one of Austria's key trade and investment partners in the Middle East and Africa, a status that Egypt highly appreciates," said Sisi. The two officials also discussed several other issues, including the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and its negative repercussions on international peace, global energy and food security. The President noted that Least Developed Countries still suffer from the repercussions of this crisis, which added to the "already heavy burden they are enduring as they seek to achieve the requirements of economic progress and sustainable development." The two leaders also discussed the developments in Libya, Palestine, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue, and the latest developments in Sudan. Sisi stressed Egypt's keenness to restore stability in Sudan and preserve the capabilities of its brotherly people. The President said that he agreed with the Austrian Federal Chancellor to work together in the coming period to consolidate and further advance cooperation to reflect the outstanding political relations between the two countries.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4298981/egypt-austria-agree-address-roots-illegal-immigration
Sudan’s Factions Say They Agree to Extend Truce but Fighting Goes on
Arab World
Asharq Al-Awsat
A man walks near a damaged car and buildings at the central market during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan April 27, 2023. (Reuters)
Sudan's two warring factions said on Thursday they would prolong a ceasefire agreement by 72 hours, but violence again rocked the capital Khartoum and the western region of Darfur as the US said ceasefire violations were worrying. Hundreds have died and tens of thousands of people have fled for their lives in two weeks of conflict between the army and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Together, they toppled a civilian government in an October 2021 coup but are now locked in a power struggle that has derailed an internationally backed transition to democracy and is threatening to destabilize a fragile region. The army on Wednesday said it agreed to a new three-day ceasefire through Sunday following one due to expire on Thursday night. On Thursday, the military reiterated it would extend the truce and said it would honor it unilaterally. Responding for the first time, the RSF said on Thursday it too approved another 72-hour truce starting Friday. The news was welcomed by the United Nations, the African Union, African trade bloc IGAD and the so-called quad countries of the US, UK, Saudi Arabia and UAE. "We also welcome their readiness to engage in dialogue toward establishing a more durable cessation of hostilities and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access," they said in a joint statement. The army said it controls most of Sudan's regions and is defeating a large RSF deployment in Khartoum where some residential areas have turned into war zones. Despite a partial lull in fighting since the first 72-hour ceasefire started, air strikes and anti-aircraft fire could be heard on Thursday in the capital and the nearby cities of Omdurman and Bahri, witnesses and Reuters journalists said. The White House said it was deeply concerned by the ceasefire violations. It said the situation could worsen at any moment and urged US citizens to leave within 24 to 48 hours. Battles in Darfur Fighting has spread to the vast Darfur region, where conflict has simmered ever since civil war erupted two decades ago. The Darfur Bar Association, a rights group, said at least 52 people had died in attacks by well-armed "militias" on residential neighborhoods in the city of El Geneina, as well as its main hospital, main market, government buildings and several shelters for internally displaced people. Militiamen from nomadic Arab tribes entered El Geneina as the fighting between the RSF and army created a security vacuum in recent days, said one resident, who asked to withhold his name due to fear of retribution. They were met with armed members of the Masalit tribe, with clashes extending across the city, causing a new wave of displacement. El Geneina, Sudan's western-most city, has been the site of repeated tribal conflicts in recent years, leading to people being pushed out of their homes multiple times. "In the past, it would be in one neighborhood and the authorities would get involved," the resident said. "But because of what's going on, there's been no intervention." At least 512 people have been killed and close to 4,200 wounded by the fighting since April 15. Food scarce The conflict has limited food distribution in the vast nation, Africa's third largest, where a third of the 46 million people were already reliant on humanitarian aid. The top UN aid official in Sudan, Abdou Dieng, said "very little can be done" in terms of humanitarian assistance. "We're extremely worried about food supply," Dieng told reporters in New York via phone from Port Sudan where most senior UN staff had relocated. The Sudan Doctors' Union said 60 of 86 hospitals in conflict zones had stopped operating. Many foreigners remain stuck in Sudan despite the evacuation of thousands. Sudanese civilians, who have been struggling to find food, water and fuel, were streaming out of Khartoum. Some 16,000 people have entered Egypt from Sudan including 14,000 Sudanese citizens, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said. The UN says some 20,000 refugees have already gone to Chad. At International University of Africa in Khartoum, where thousands of students waited to leave, food is running out, there is no water for toilets and showers and the power has gone, said Nigerian law student Umar Yusuf Yaru, 24. "Even as we sit here, almost everywhere you can hear gunshots. We are not safe here," Yaru said via Zoom, as some students could be heard crying in the background. Frictions had been building for months between Sudan's army and the RSF, whose 2021 coup came two years after a popular uprising toppled long-ruling President Omar al-Bashir.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4298846/sudan%E2%80%99s-factions-say-they-agree-extend-truce-fighting-goes
Russia Attacks Cities across Ukraine, at Least Five Dead
World
Asharq Al-Awsat
An elderly man walks past a car shop that was destroyed after a Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Russia attacked cities in a wide arc across Ukraine early on Friday extending from the capital, Kyiv, through central and southern regions and at least five people were killed, according to media and officials. "A young woman and a three-year-old child have been killed," Borys Filatov, mayor of the central city of Dnipro, said on Telegram. Filatov gave no further details. The central town of Uman, three people were killed and eight wounded when a missile hit an apartment building, setting it ablaze, said Ihor Taburets, head of the military administration in the area, The Associated Press said. Kyiv was also rocked by explosions and air raid sirens and explosions were reported across the country, according to the Interfax Ukraine and reports on social media channels. There were no details on what had been struck in Kyiv or of any damage and casualties. The city's military administration said anti-aircraft units were in operation. Interfax said explosions were also reported after midnight in Dnipro, Kremenchuk and Poltava in central Ukraine and in Mykolaiv in the south. The attacks come as Ukrainian forces are expected to soon launch an offensive with new military equipment, including tanks, from its Western allies, after Russian forces made little headway in their winter offensive. Russian forces have suffered setbacks throughout the conflict and have been trying for 10 months to punch their way into the shattered remains of Bakhmut, once a city of 70,000. Russia sees Bakhmut as a key stepping stone to other cities in eastern Ukraine, now its major military objective. Russia's attacks on Friday came a day after the Kremlin said it would welcome anything that could bring the end of the conflict closer, referring to a telephone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday. It was the first time the leaders had spoken since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. But the Kremlin said it still needed to achieve the aims of its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, saying it was necessary to protect Russia. Ukraine and its Western allies rejected that, saying the invasion was an unprovoked land grab by Putin, which has brought the biggest land war in Europe since World War Two.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4298841/russia-attacks-cities-across-ukraine-least-five-dead
Supporters of Israel’s Judicial Overhaul Rally in Jerusalem
World
Asharq Al-Awsat
An aerial view shows right-wing demonstrators at a protest calling on the Israeli government to complete its planned judicial overhaul, in front of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, in Jerusalem, April 27, 2023. (Reuters)
Tens of thousands of right-wing Israelis who support a plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judiciary flocked to Jerusalem on Thursday to rally for the proposal, which has prompted some of the biggest protests in Israel's history. After 16 weeks of protests against the overhaul that brought parts of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to a standstill, Thursday marked a rare mobilization of massive public support for the divisive plan. Crowds of Israelis transformed a major Jerusalem thoroughfare into a sea of blue and white national flags. Some protesters stomped on a carpet displaying the faces of Israel's Supreme Court president and former attorney general. “We will not give up,” ultranationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told the rally. “We have the people, they have the media," he said, referring to the government's critics that he accuses of exerting undue influence over the news media. The masses snaking down Kaplan Street railed against their opponents and chanted slogans in support of the judicial plan, which Netanyahu delayed last month after mass anti-government protests — mainly by secular and liberal Israelis — intensified and even threatened to paralyze the economy. The anti-overhaul movement also drew legions of pilots and officers in elite military reserve units who threatened not to report for service. High-tech business leaders and former officials also came out against the changes. Right-wing Israelis — disappointed in the government's failure to push through the legislation before the parliament's recess earlier this month — escalated their demands for Netanyahu's far-right and ultra-Orthodox coalition to fulfill its promises. Israeli media estimated some 80,000 people had gathered in Jerusalem for Thursday's rally — many of them bused in from across the country. “The people want judicial reform,” the protesters yelled. At the end of his speech, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who has spearheaded the overhaul push, joined the chant. A banner onstage read: “The elections will not be stolen from us.” Supporters of the overhaul argue it is needed to rein in a system of judges who are unelected and overly interventionist in political issues. Netanyahu's coalition of right-wing and religious allies, which took office late last year, captured a majority of 64 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Opponents contend the overhaul is a power grab that would weaken a system of checks and balances and concentrate authority in the hands of the prime minister and his extremist allies. They also say that Netanyahu has a conflict of interest in trying to reshape the nation’s legal system at a time when he is on trial. “I am deeply moved by the tremendous support,” Netanyahu wrote on Twitter about Thursday's demonstration.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4298801/supporters-israel%E2%80%99s-judicial-overhaul-rally-jerusalem
War of Generals Turns Sudan into Ukraine of the Horn of Africa
Opinion
Huda al-Husseini
Huda al-Husseini -
Hundreds have been killed and thousands have been wounded during the recent clashes in Sudan. Many countries, including the United States, have evacuated their diplomatic staff and closed their embassies, which many interpreted as implying that they believe this will be an open-ended war and that Sudan could become the Ukraine of the Horn of Africa. Despite having been close allies who shared control of the country in 2021, the two belligerents’ relationship subsequently became strained. Disputes over power and key national questions, including but not limited to the integration of the RSF into the Sudanese military and the eventual transition to civilian rule, have created a wedge between them. The violent scenes in Sudan are typical of the power struggles fought out in fragile states where several powerful armed groups vie for control. Nonetheless, given the significance of Sudan's geographical location, the political dispute and the escalating battles are actually far too complex to be seen as a mere power struggle. On March 23, 2021, the “Ever Given” container ship lost control as it was passing through the Suez Canal and ran aground for about a week, shutting down one of the most important trade crossings in the world - 12 percent of global trade passes through it annually. Egypt mobilized, and once hundreds of ships had successfully passed through the Suez Canal, the dynamics regulating the regional order of the Red Sea were back and regained their importance. Indeed, the Red Sea is a pivotal waterway extending from the Suez Canal in the north and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the south that is crucial for global maritime trade, as it links the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. Its geostrategic and commercial significance has drawn in regional actors keen on establishing a foothold in the Red Sea. In fact, Turkey, Russia, and China, among others, have been building increasing numbers of seaports and military facilities between Sudan and Somalia in recent years. This spike in interest seems to indicate that a new "scramble for Africa" is underway in the coastal states of the continent. Moreover, Egypt has always seen the conflict over the Red Sea as a threat to the maritime security of the region as a whole. Indeed, the minor incidents near the Bab el-Mandeb and the Ever Given incident attest to the extent of the impact that the Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandab have on global trade along the Red Sea. Indeed, problems on either side of this route inevitably reverberate throughout the Red Sea region and extend into the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific. The Red Sea should thus be considered an integrated system. The security of its maritime routes is part of a complex regional security framework that extends beyond its geographic borders. Returning to the recent crisis in Sudan, it is the culmination of a quandary that goes back to the later years of President Omar al-Bashir’s now-deposed regime. This quandary was complicated further by the chaos that followed his overthrow by the armed forces in 2019. The disputes over the shaky power-sharing arrangement and transition to democracy that emerged since then have left tensions running high. The ongoing clashes can only be understood as part of the longstanding competition over sovereign control between two powerful parties to this agreement: the Sudanese Armed Forces led by the Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces of General Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo, more commonly known by his nickname "Hamedti". The two men began forging ties during the Darfur conflict in 2000, when Hemeti emerged as the leader of the Janjaweed militias, whose notoriety precedes them. These factions recruited by the Bashir regime to fight in Darfur later became the Rapid Support Forces in 2013. The two military commanders were appointed to the Transitional Sovereignty Council, which took power after Bashir was toppled. Burhan was appointed Chairman and Hamedti his deputy. However, this arrangement did little to stabilize things in Khartoum or build trust between the army and the RSF, which had become a powerful non-state rival to the army, after years of mutual apprehension. Things took a new turn for the worse when the military brought down the transitional government led by Abdallah Hamdok in October 2021 and declared a state of emergency. Burhan and Hemedti remained on the council, while all but one of its civilian members were replaced. The African Union suspended Sudan's membership the day after this coup, while the United States and the European Union froze hundreds of millions of dollars in development aid that had been pledged in support of Sudan's transition to democratic civilian rule. Meanwhile, Sudan's economy continued to teeter on the brink, and violent unrest shook many corners of the country. The military failed to draw the total support of many traditional partners, who were lukewarm about the post-coup government. Meanwhile, mass protests against the army followed the coup, gaining strength with time as the army struggled to garner broad support across the country. A range of regional and international actors are now calling on African leaders to play a more proactive role in resolving the conflict. Indeed, "African solutions to African problems" is a slogan that retains great traction across the continent, but this is a purely academic warning. The fact is that Sudan - and, to a large extent, the Horn of Africa as a whole - has long been a battleground where global and regional powers consolidate their influence. The fingerprints of an array of global powers – including Russia, the US, the UK and China – can be found in Sudan, where they have been involved in infrastructure, energy, defense, mining and agriculture projects. This means that these actors have a lot of leverage over the political elites of the country, including Burhan and Hemedti. The latest crisis in Sudan is extremely consequential, especially considering its geostrategic location. It is the third largest country in Africa and shares borders with 7 countries: Egypt, Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea. All of them are deeply impacted by domestic developments in Sudan, and they have their own immense security challenges to deal with. It is close to the Red Sea and one of the homes of the Nile; the situation in Sudan thus has grave implications, not only for landlocked Ethiopia but also water-scarce Egypt. The Rapid Support Forces’ financial network operates and what is being said about (the relationship between Russia and gold) could aggravate the situation further and perpetuate the war. Ensuring civilian oversight of military spending is pivotal for allowing Sudan to undergo a peaceful democratic transition, as is granting the Sudanese people greater control over their natural resources. Unless all military forces are brought under civilian control, the transition to the democratic civilian government that is sought by so many in Sudan will continue to be impeded. That is if the generals' war ends swiftly with one getting rid of the other.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4297416/huda-al-husseini/war-generals-turns-sudan-ukraine-horn-africa
