Tebboune, Burhan Warn Against ‘Foreign Interferences’ in Sudan

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Sudan's Sovereign Council General Abdulfattah al-Burhan in Algeria (Algerian Presidency)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Sudan's Sovereign Council General Abdulfattah al-Burhan in Algeria (Algerian Presidency)
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Tebboune, Burhan Warn Against ‘Foreign Interferences’ in Sudan

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Sudan's Sovereign Council General Abdulfattah al-Burhan in Algeria (Algerian Presidency)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Sudan's Sovereign Council General Abdulfattah al-Burhan in Algeria (Algerian Presidency)

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune affirmed his country's support for Sudan to overcome "difficult circumstances" and confront "evil forces" targeting it.
On Sunday, Tebboune received the Head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, General Abdulfattah al-Burhan, who started a two-day official visit to Algeria.
Tebboune received Burhan at the presidential headquarters, and together, they held bilateral talks and then chaired expanded discussions that included the two countries’ delegations.
During a joint press conference in Algiers, Tebboune asserted that Algeria "stands by Sudan to overcome the difficult circumstances and confront the forces of evil targeting it."
Tebboune said Algeria always supports Sudan, speaking of the "centuries-old relations" that unite their "two brotherly nations."
Burhan welcomed every action taken by Algeria, whether at the Arab or African level, to resolve the crisis in Sudan, warning that "Sudan is facing a conspiracy with the complicity of international and regional partners."
The Sudanese leader thanked Algeria, which he said had been "present at every Arab or regional discussion or negotiation."
Meanwhile, the Sudan Liberation Army Movement, led by Darfur governor Minni Arko Minawi, arrived Sunday in Gedaref, eastern Sudan.
Gedaref governor-designate, Mohamed Mahjoub, told the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) that Minawi's forces will participate with the Sudanese army to secure the country's state and eastern borders.
Mahjoub pointed out that the armed forces, the movement's forces, and the parties that signed the Juba Peace Agreement have been in coordination since they announced their support for the armed forces following the outbreak of war with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Sudan Liberation Army Movement's advisor for reconciliation and social peace, Brigadier General Yahya Hassanein, confirmed that his forces will support the armed forces in defending the country and ensure the unity of its people.
Hassanein said he was looking forward to increasing joint work with the state in many different aspects.
Furthermore, a delegation from the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), led by former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, is scheduled to head to South Sudan within days.
Taqaddum spokesman Alaeddine Naqd stated that Hamdok is expected to hold discussions with officials in Juba and President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
Naqd told Asharq Al-Awsat that the civil forces delegation will arrive in Juba at the end of this month to meet with South Sudan officials.
He explained that the meetings would discuss putting an end to the war and address South Sudan's role in achieving peace. He said officials are preparing for a meeting between the Taqaddum delegation and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North, led by Abdulaziz al-Hilu, and the Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Abdul Wahid Mohammad Nur.
The spokesman said the meetings aim to unify the forces opposed to the war, explaining that efforts are underway to organize a meeting with the two men.
Taqaddum sent two letters to Hilu and Nur calling them to a meeting to unify civil forces, and they responded by welcoming the efforts.
The Coordination also sent two letters to the Sudanese Communist Party and the Arab Socialist Baath Party for a meeting to unify efforts against war.
Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that all components of Taqaddum are expected to participate in the Juba meetings.

The sources, who requested anonymity, said the broad participation aims to reflect diversity and present Taqaddum's road map and the Addis Ababa Declaration signed by the RSF leader.
They indicated that efforts are underway for a meeting between Burhan and Taqaddum's officials.



Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon, 8 Dead in Attacks on Cars South of Beirut

Lebanese rescuers and army soldiers inspect the wreckage of a vehicle that was hit in an Israeli strike in Jiyeh town, south of Beirut, Lebanon, 13 May 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Lebanese rescuers and army soldiers inspect the wreckage of a vehicle that was hit in an Israeli strike in Jiyeh town, south of Beirut, Lebanon, 13 May 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon, 8 Dead in Attacks on Cars South of Beirut

Lebanese rescuers and army soldiers inspect the wreckage of a vehicle that was hit in an Israeli strike in Jiyeh town, south of Beirut, Lebanon, 13 May 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Lebanese rescuers and army soldiers inspect the wreckage of a vehicle that was hit in an Israeli strike in Jiyeh town, south of Beirut, Lebanon, 13 May 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

The Israeli military said it launched a new wave of strikes across southern Lebanon Wednesday, despite a truce with the Lebanese government to halt fighting with Hezbollah.

"The IDF has begun striking Hezbollah terror infrastructure in several areas in southern Lebanon," the military said, hours after issuing fresh evacuation warnings for six villages in the Tyre region.

 

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern area of Burj al-Shamali, as seen from the city of Tyre on May 13, 2026. (Photo by KAWANT HAJU / AFP)

 

Israeli strikes also targeted several cars on a major highway linking Beirut to southern Lebanon, state media reported.

The attacks took place near Jiyeh and Barja. Eight people, including a woman and her child, were killed in the attacks, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center said.

On Saturday, similar strikes targeted two other cars in the same area.

Israel has kept up airstrikes in Lebanon against Hezbollah despite a truce since April 17 aimed at halting the fighting.

On Tuesday, 13 people were killed in attacks on towns in the south, according to Lebanon's health ministry, which said a total of 380 people had been killed since the start of the ceasefire.

The violence came with Lebanon and Israel due to hold a new round of direct negotiations in Washington on Thursday, brokered by the United States.

 


Defections Hit Sudan’s RSF … Has the Breakup Phase Begun?

Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan welcoming Major General Al-Nour Al-Qubba, who defected from the Rapid Support Forces (Sovereignty Council)
Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan welcoming Major General Al-Nour Al-Qubba, who defected from the Rapid Support Forces (Sovereignty Council)
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Defections Hit Sudan’s RSF … Has the Breakup Phase Begun?

Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan welcoming Major General Al-Nour Al-Qubba, who defected from the Rapid Support Forces (Sovereignty Council)
Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan welcoming Major General Al-Nour Al-Qubba, who defected from the Rapid Support Forces (Sovereignty Council)

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are facing a growing wave of defections, raising questions over the future of the paramilitary group’s military cohesion and tribal alliances as the conflict with the Sudanese army enters its fourth year and turns into a prolonged war of attrition.

The latest and most prominent defection came from senior field commander Ali Rizqallah, known as “Al-Safana,” one of the RSF’s leading battlefield commanders in Darfur and Kordofan.

His departure follows a series of similar moves in recent months, including the defection of Major General Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as “Al-Nour Al-Qubba,” and field commander Bishara Al-Huwaira, who left RSF ranks in North Kordofan weeks ago. Before them, Abu Aqla Keikel, commander of the Sudan Shield Forces, became one of the first high-profile defectors in late 2024.

Observers say Al-Huwaira’s defection carries particular military significance because of his position in the Bara area near El-Obeid, the Sudanese army’s main stronghold in North Kordofan. The area is a strategic junction linking western Sudan with the east and center of the country and serves as a key corridor for supplies, fuel and fighters.

Local reports said Al-Huwaira joined the Sudanese army with a force of between 11 and 15 fully equipped combat vehicles, in what was seen as another blow to the RSF despite efforts by its leadership to downplay the impact.

After Al-Nour Al-Qubba defected in April, there was speculation that Al-Safana would be the next commander to leave, especially after reports emerged that he had withdrawn from the battlefield and traveled abroad. He later appeared in a video denying those reports before formally announcing his defection weeks later.

Sources said Al-Safana had left the frontlines for Uganda before traveling to India for medical treatment. He later appeared in a video from an undisclosed location believed to be in India, announcing he had left the RSF.

Although Al-Safana said he was not aligning himself with any armed faction, sources close to the Sudanese army expect him to formally join the military. RSF sources, meanwhile, insisted that the move posed no real threat to the force or to the “Sudan Founding Alliance” project run by the RSF in areas under its control.

RSF leaders say the departure of some commanders has not altered the balance of power on the ground, stressing the group still controls territories it captured during the war and that field units linked to those commanders continue to fight under its banner.

But analysts say the defections carry significance beyond their immediate military effect because of the RSF’s structure, which relies heavily on tribal loyalties, local alliances and influential field commanders, particularly in Darfur.

Unlike conventional armies with centralized command structures, the RSF has relied since its inception on tribal alliances and armed groups with overlapping loyalties. While that structure helped it expand rapidly, it also left it vulnerable to internal divisions and shifting allegiances as the war dragged on.

Analysts also attribute the defections to growing tensions within the RSF leadership, where commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and his brother Abdel Rahim Dagalo control military decision-making, reportedly sidelining some field commanders.

While the defections are unlikely to immediately shift the military balance, observers say they could deepen internal instability within the RSF and gradually weaken its military and tribal cohesion.


Aoun Awards Al-Bukhari the National Order of the Cedar: Saudi Arabia Remains a Steadfast Supporter of Lebanon

President Joseph Aoun awards Ambassador Waleed Al-Bukhari the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanese Presidency)
President Joseph Aoun awards Ambassador Waleed Al-Bukhari the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanese Presidency)
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Aoun Awards Al-Bukhari the National Order of the Cedar: Saudi Arabia Remains a Steadfast Supporter of Lebanon

President Joseph Aoun awards Ambassador Waleed Al-Bukhari the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanese Presidency)
President Joseph Aoun awards Ambassador Waleed Al-Bukhari the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed that Saudi Arabia remains a steadfast supporter of Lebanon, praising the role of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, meanwhile, commended the considerable efforts made by Saudi Ambassador Waleed Al-Bukhari to strengthen and deepen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Aoun made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with the Saudi ambassador at the presidential palace in Baabda where he awarded the diplomat the National Order of the Cedar, rank of Grand Officer, on the occasion of the conclusion of his diplomatic mission in Lebanon and in recognition of his efforts to enhance Lebanese-Saudi relations.

Aoun said that the ties binding Lebanon and Saudi Arabia transcend longstanding historical and brotherly relations, stressing that the Kingdom has, throughout the years, remained a constant pillar of support for Lebanon under all circumstances. He added that Saudi Arabia’s generous initiatives reflect its enduring commitment to the country’s stability and prosperity.

The Lebanese president also praised the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying their vision has contributed to promoting development and stability across the region.

Al-Bukhari thanked the president for awarding him the decoration and expressed hope that Lebanon would regain its pioneering regional role, and that its people would enjoy lasting security and stability.

The Ambassador also met Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during a farewell visit that, according to a statement issued by the Speaker’s office, included discussions on the general situation in Lebanon and bilateral relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

In a separate farewell meeting, Salam received the diplomat at the Grand Serail, where he praised “the significant efforts exerted by Ambassador Al-Bukhari in consolidating and advancing bilateral relations between Lebanon and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the pivotal role he played during a delicate period in our nation’s history.”