Egypt Calls on 'Sudan’s Neighbors' to Take 'Immediate' Measures to Solve Crisis

Meeting of the Ministerial Mechanism of Sudan’s Neighboring Countries (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Meeting of the Ministerial Mechanism of Sudan’s Neighboring Countries (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
TT

Egypt Calls on 'Sudan’s Neighbors' to Take 'Immediate' Measures to Solve Crisis

Meeting of the Ministerial Mechanism of Sudan’s Neighboring Countries (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Meeting of the Ministerial Mechanism of Sudan’s Neighboring Countries (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called on Sudan’s neighboring countries to put forward “immediate measures” to respond to the “crippling humanitarian crisis” in Sudan.

During the first meeting of the ministerial mechanism of Sudan’s neighboring countries, which was held on Monday in N'Djamena, Shoukry briefed the participants on the situation in the country, pointing to the “complete ambiguity in the course of the political process.”

He also stressed “the importance of concerted efforts to convince the two parties to the conflict of the need for an immediate end to the fighting.”

The Sudan’s Neighboring Countries Summit was held last month in Cairo, to discuss a solution to the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The summit was attended by the leaders of Ethiopia, Chad, Central Africa, Eritrea, Libya and South Sudan, in addition to the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

The participants agreed to form a mechanism at the level of foreign ministers, to meet for the first time in Chad.

In a speech during Monday’s meeting, Shoukry stressed that the initiative of Sudan’s neighboring states was evidence of the “serious political will to help the country overcome its crisis and put an end to the devastating war.”

The Egyptian diplomat underlined the need to strengthen the resilience of the displaced communities in neighboring states, calling at the same time the donor community to support the capabilities of host countries to provide the required rapid response to the Sudanese people.

According to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the foreign ministers of Sudan’s neighboring countries discussed the Sudanese crisis, with all its security, political and humanitarian dimensions, its effects on the people and its regional and international repercussions, with the aim to put forward practical proposals to reach solutions that would put an end to the crisis, and preserve the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan.



Fierce Fighting in Syria's Manbij as Tensions Rise in Homs, Coastal Areas

Men suspected of being part of militias or loyalist soldiers of ousted president Bashar Assad are detained by members of the new security forces during an operation in Homs, Syria, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Men suspected of being part of militias or loyalist soldiers of ousted president Bashar Assad are detained by members of the new security forces during an operation in Homs, Syria, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
TT

Fierce Fighting in Syria's Manbij as Tensions Rise in Homs, Coastal Areas

Men suspected of being part of militias or loyalist soldiers of ousted president Bashar Assad are detained by members of the new security forces during an operation in Homs, Syria, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Men suspected of being part of militias or loyalist soldiers of ousted president Bashar Assad are detained by members of the new security forces during an operation in Homs, Syria, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Syria’s new authorities are cracking down on former regime cells in Alawite neighborhoods in Homs and coastal areas, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.

At the same time, heavy fighting broke out in northern Syria’s Manbij between Turkish-backed groups and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to the UK-based monitor.

The Observatory reported that at least 28 Türkiye-backed fighters were killed in the clashes, and Turkish forces heavily shelled SDF-held areas.

The SDF accused Turkish-backed forces of launching a major assault on villages near Manbij, but said they had repelled the attacks around the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River.

Türkiye wants to expel the Kurdish People’s Defense Units (YPG), the backbone of the SDF, claiming they are linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group designated as terrorist.

At the same time, tensions have been increasing in the Alawite-majority neighborhoods of Homs as authorities conduct raids for former regime members, with effects spreading to the coastal areas.

In Tartus, about 50 community leaders representing various religious and social groups met with political officials from Syria’s military leadership. During the four-hour meeting, they expressed concerns about the coastal region, home to many former regime supporters.

The discussion focused on maintaining peace and unity in Syria, especially in the coastal areas, following updates on the political and international situation.

Lara Aizouqi, moderator of a press session organized by the Stabilization Support Unit (SSU), told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting included a wide range of local community members from various religious and social groups, as well as political representatives from Syria's military leadership.

Aizouqi said the community’s main demand was security.

A proposal was made to create local protection committees, allowing each area to safeguard itself and prevent chaos, with a commitment to handing over wanted individuals in exchange for guarantees against reprisals.