Burhan Vows to Continue Battle to Crush Rapid Support Forces

Sudanese Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan addresses his forces in the country's east. (SUNA)
Sudanese Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan addresses his forces in the country's east. (SUNA)
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Burhan Vows to Continue Battle to Crush Rapid Support Forces

Sudanese Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan addresses his forces in the country's east. (SUNA)
Sudanese Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan addresses his forces in the country's east. (SUNA)

Sudan's Sovereign Council head General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has reaffirmed on Monday that his army will continue fighting until it crushes the “rebellion,” in reference to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Since last April, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF started fighting a war that has ravaged the country.

During a visit to Kassala State where he addressed troops of the 44th Brigade in New Halfa, al-Burhan said that the battle continues until RSF are defeated.

The Sovereign Council media office said in a statement that thousands of New Halfa residents gathered to welcome the army chief, his first visit to the area since the outbreak of fighting against the RSF.

The statement added that Burhan also visited the 11th Infantry Division headquarters in Khashm Al-Qirbah in the eastern military zone.

In a related development, the governor of Khartoum State, Ahmed Othman Hamzah, affirmed that army forces are advancing on all fronts.

According to the Sudan News Agency, SUNA, Hamzah visited family members of those killed in the “Battle of Dignity."

According to international organizations, Sudan is now the largest internal displacement crisis globally hosting an estimated 9.05 million displaced persons (IDPs) as of 31 December 2023.



UN Security Council Calls for Syrian-led Political Process

17 December 2024, US, New York: A view of the Security Council during a meeting. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
17 December 2024, US, New York: A view of the Security Council during a meeting. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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UN Security Council Calls for Syrian-led Political Process

17 December 2024, US, New York: A view of the Security Council during a meeting. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
17 December 2024, US, New York: A view of the Security Council during a meeting. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

The UN Security Council has issued its first statement on Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad's government, calling for a Syrian-led political process leading to elections, and urging all nations to respect the country’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.

The council said Syrians should “peacefully, independently and democratically determine their own futures” based on key principles in a 2015 council resolution that sets out a roadmap to peace calling for a new constitution and UN-monitored elections. It said the process should be facilitated by the United Nations and backed efforts being taken by UN envoy Geir Pedersen.

The statement released Tuesday night makes no mention of the Dec. 8 ouster of Assad by opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

The Security Council reiterated support for the UN peacekeeping force known as UNDOF monitoring the Israel-Syria border following the 1973 Mideast war. It stressed the obligation of all parties to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement that established a demilitarized buffer zone between the countries to abide by its terms and reduce tensions.

The council statement, approved by all 15 members, underscored the importance of combatting terrorism in Syria and preventing ISIS from re-establishing its stronghold in the country.

The Security Council also reiterated Syria’s obligation to respect human rights and international humanitarian law. This includes the right to seek justice and allow and facilitate humanitarian access to millions in need, the statement said.