Arab, International Solidarity with Morocco after Devastating Earthquake

Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)
Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)
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Arab, International Solidarity with Morocco after Devastating Earthquake

Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)
Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)

Arab and Western countries offered their condolences to Morocco for the victims of the Friday earthquake, which killed at least 1,305 people and injured 1,832, and expressed their solidarity.

-Saudi Arabia

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sent a cable of condolences to King Mohammed VI of Morocco for the victims of the earthquake that resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

They expressed their sympathies, praying for solace to the families of the deceased and wishing speedy recovery to the injured.

Saudi Arabia expressed condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Morocco for the earthquake that hit the country and led to the death and injury of hundreds of people.

The Kingdom expressed solidarity with Morocco in this time of great affliction and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery and Morocco safety and security.

-UAE

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message of condolence to King Mohammed VI of Morocco over the victims of the earthquakes that hit the country, wishing a speedy recovery to all the injured.

The President ordered the creation of a humanitarian airbridge to enable the charity institutions affiliated with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives to send relief aid to those affected by the earthquake in Morocco.

Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also dispatched similar messages to King Mohammed VI, wishing Morocco safety and security.

-Qatar

On Saturday, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed deep condolences to the Moroccan King following the devastating earthquake that affected several regions of the Kingdom.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also spoke to his Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch via phone.

Sheikh Tamim directed urgent aid and rescue crew.

-Kuwait

Kuwait's Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah directed the government to provide all necessary relief supplies for Morocco.

-Bahrain

Bahrain also offered condolences to Morocco for the earthquake victims.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed its sympathy and solidarity with Morocco, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

-Oman

The Sultanate of Oman sympathized with the Moroccan government and people after the earthquake.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, the Sultanate expressed sincere condolences to the victims' families and its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.

-Algeria

Algeria said it would open its air space for humanitarian and medical flights to Morocco. In a statement, Algeria's presidency said it was ready to provide humanitarian aid and offer all its material and human capabilities in solidarity with the Moroccan people if Morocco requests such help.

-Egypt

Egypt offered its deepest condolences to Morocco following the deadly earthquake.

The Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering solidarity with Morocco, its government, and its people as they grapple with the devastating consequences of this tragic and painful incident.

-Jordan

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry expressed its warmest condolences and sincere sympathy to Morocco for the earthquake victims that occurred Friday evening and resulted in several victims and injuries.

-The OIC

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) voiced solidarity with Morocco after the powerful earthquake.

In a statement, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, affirming the solidarity of the OIC and its support for Morocco and its people in facing the effects of this devastating tragedy and overcoming this humanitarian ordeal.

-Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed all government bodies and forces to provide any necessary assistance to the people of Morocco, including the preparations for sending an aid delegation to the area.

Netanyahu expressed the Israeli government and people's sympathy with the Moroccan people during this tragedy, offering his sincerest condolences to the families who fell victim to the quake.

He delegated to all specialized forces in Israel to be on standby to head to Morocco and extend a helping hand to the local troops in rescuing those who were stuck and administering aid to survivors.

The Israeli government also added that the Ministry of Defense and the Israeli army are on standby to offer help through their specialized rescue forces.

-Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "devastated" by news of the quake, adding that "France stands ready to help with first aid."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she "learned with grief of the tragic toll" from the quake and pointed to "Italy's willingness to support Morocco in this emergency."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his solidarity and support to the people of Morocco in the wake of this terrible earthquake, asserting that "Spain is with the victims of this tragedy."

The Spain military emergency unit and our embassy and consulates are at the disposal of Morocco," Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said at the G20 meeting in New Delhi.

Foreign Secretary of the UK James Cleverly announced his country's readiness to help Morocco however it can, noting that the UK continues to support British nationals in the region.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed sympathy with the Moroccan people, while top EU diplomat Joseph Borrell said the bloc is ready to provide Morocco "the assistance it wishes."

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed similar sentiments and said in a message to Morocco's King, "We share the pain and the mourning of the friendly Moroccan people."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his "deepest condolences to HM King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the horrible earthquake."

"Ukraine stands in solidarity with Morocco during this tragic time," he said on social media.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supported "our Moroccan brothers in every way in this difficult hour."

-Asia

China. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a "message of condolence" to King Mohammed VI.

"I am shocked to learn that a strong earthquake has occurred in your distinguished country, causing great casualties and property damage," Xi said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is hosting the G20 summit this weekend, said he was "extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco."

-The US

US President Joe Biden said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco.

Biden announced that the US administration is in contact with Moroccan officials and stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Moroccan people.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the quake as "heartbreaking," adding: "We stand ready to support the immediate health needs."



Libya Says UK to Analyze Black Box from Crash That Killed General

Military personnel carry portraits of the Libyan chief of staff, General Mohamed al-Haddad (2-R), and his four advisers, who were killed in a plane crash in Türkiye, during an official repatriation ceremony at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tripoli, Libya, 27 December 2025. (EPA)
Military personnel carry portraits of the Libyan chief of staff, General Mohamed al-Haddad (2-R), and his four advisers, who were killed in a plane crash in Türkiye, during an official repatriation ceremony at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tripoli, Libya, 27 December 2025. (EPA)
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Libya Says UK to Analyze Black Box from Crash That Killed General

Military personnel carry portraits of the Libyan chief of staff, General Mohamed al-Haddad (2-R), and his four advisers, who were killed in a plane crash in Türkiye, during an official repatriation ceremony at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tripoli, Libya, 27 December 2025. (EPA)
Military personnel carry portraits of the Libyan chief of staff, General Mohamed al-Haddad (2-R), and his four advisers, who were killed in a plane crash in Türkiye, during an official repatriation ceremony at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tripoli, Libya, 27 December 2025. (EPA)

Libya said on Thursday that Britain had agreed to analyze the black box from a plane crash in Türkiye on December 23 that killed a Libyan military delegation, including the head of its army.

General Mohammed al-Haddad and four aides died after a visit to Ankara, with Turkish officials saying an electrical failure caused their Falcon 50 jet to crash shortly after takeoff.

Three crew members, two of them French, were also killed.

The aircraft's black box flight recorder was found on farmland near the crash site.

"We coordinated directly with Britain for the analysis" of the black box, Mohamed al-Chahoubi, transport minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU), said at a press conference in Tripoli.

Haddad was very popular in Libya despite deep divisions between west and east.

Haddad was chief of staff for the Tripoli-based GNU.

Chahoubi told AFP a request for the analysis was "made to Germany, which demanded France's assistance" to examine the aircraft's flight recorders.

"However, the Chicago Convention stipulates that the country analyzing the black box must be neutral," he said.

"Since France is a manufacturer of the aircraft and the crew was French, it is not qualified to participate. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, was accepted by Libya and Turkey."

After meeting the British ambassador to Tripoli on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Taher al-Baour said a joint request had been submitted by Libya and Türkiye to Britain "to obtain technical and legal support for the analysis of the black box".

Chahoubi told Thursday's press briefing that Britain "announced its agreement, in coordination with the Libyan Ministry of Transport and the Turkish authorities".

He said it was not yet possible to say how long it would take to retrieve the flight data, as this depended on the state of the black box.

"The findings will be made public once they are known," Chahoubi said, warning against "false information" and urging the public not to pay attention to rumors.


STC Says Handing over Positions to National Shield Forces in Yemen's Hadhramaut, Mahra

National Shield forces in Hadhramaut. (National Shield forces)
National Shield forces in Hadhramaut. (National Shield forces)
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STC Says Handing over Positions to National Shield Forces in Yemen's Hadhramaut, Mahra

National Shield forces in Hadhramaut. (National Shield forces)
National Shield forces in Hadhramaut. (National Shield forces)

Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces in Yemen began on Thursday handing over military positions to the government’s National Shield forces in the Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces in eastern Yemen.

Local sources in Hadhramaut confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the handover kicked off after meetings were held between the two sides.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said the National Shield commanders met with STC leaderships to discuss future arrangements. The sourced did not elaborate, but they confirmed that Emirati armored vehicles, which had entered Balhaf port in Shabwah were seen departing on a UAE vessel, in line with a Yemeni government request.

The National Shield is overseen by Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.

A Yemeni official described Thursday’s developments as “positive” step towards uniting ranks and legitimacy against a common enemy – the Houthi groups.

The official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, underscored to Asharq Al-Awsat the importance of “partnership between components of the legitimacy and of dialogue to resolve any future differences.”

Meanwhile, on the ground, Yemeni military sources revealed that some STC forces had refused to quit their positions, prompting the forces to dispatch an official to Hadhramaut’s Seiyun city to negotiate the situation.


One Dead as Israeli Forces Open Fire on West Bank Stone-Throwers

Israeli troops during a military operation in the Palestinian village of Qabatiya, near the West Bank city of Jenin, 27 December 2025. (EPA)
Israeli troops during a military operation in the Palestinian village of Qabatiya, near the West Bank city of Jenin, 27 December 2025. (EPA)
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One Dead as Israeli Forces Open Fire on West Bank Stone-Throwers

Israeli troops during a military operation in the Palestinian village of Qabatiya, near the West Bank city of Jenin, 27 December 2025. (EPA)
Israeli troops during a military operation in the Palestinian village of Qabatiya, near the West Bank city of Jenin, 27 December 2025. (EPA)

The Israeli military said its forces killed a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank in the early hours on Thursday as they opened fire on people who were throwing stones at soldiers.

Two other people were hit on a main ‌road near the ‌village of Luban ‌al-Sharqiya ⁠in Nablus, ‌the military statement added. It described the people as militants and said the stone-throwing was part of an ambush.

Palestinian authorities in the West Bank said ⁠a 26-year-old man they named as ‌Khattab Al Sarhan was ‍killed and ‍another person wounded.

Israeli forces had ‍closed the main entrance to the village of Luban al-Sharqiya, in Nablus, and blocked several secondary roads on Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority's official news agency WAFA reported.

More ⁠than a thousand Palestinians were killed in the West Bank between October 2023 and October 2025, mostly in operations by security forces and some by settler violence, the UN has said.

Over the same period, 57 Israelis were killed ‌in Palestinian attacks.