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Sudan’s Sovereign Council Deputy Chairman: Army Advances, No Talks for Now

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir with Sudan's Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council Malik Agar in Juba (X)
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir with Sudan's Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council Malik Agar in Juba (X)
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Sudan’s Sovereign Council Deputy Chairman: Army Advances, No Talks for Now

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir with Sudan's Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council Malik Agar in Juba (X)
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir with Sudan's Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council Malik Agar in Juba (X)

Sudan’s Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council Malik Agar asserted on Thursday that the Sudanese military has made significant strides on the battlefield, carrying out precise strikes against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Agar emphasized that there is no talk about any political process under the current artillery shelling and bullet shots, hinting at the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since last April.
According to a statement from the Sovereign Council’s media office, Agar discussed Sudan’s stance on regional initiatives with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir.
These initiatives, proposed by the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Jeddah Platform sponsored by Saudi Arabia and the United States, aim to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan.
Agar reiterated that a return to negotiations at the Jeddah Platform hinges on the RSF’s compliance with agreed-upon terms, including ceasing the occupation of civilian homes and addressing other agreed-upon issues.
The Sudanese leader concluded a three-day visit to the capital Juba on Thursday, accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Gabriel Ibrahim.
Agar said Kiir understood why Sudan’s membership in the IGAD was suspended, and stressed Sudan's commitment to solving African issues within the African Union.
Agar confirmed in two separate meetings with a group of envoys, heads of Troika, EU diplomatic missions and African ambassadors in South Sudan, that any attempts to launch a political process will not pay off.
He said that the Sudanese government is open and working hard to ending the war in a way that preserves the sovereignty, unity and national security of Sudan.
Agar also warned against the consequences and impact of the war on the Horn of Africa and the region as a whole.

 

 

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Iraq Frustrated by Iran’s Reluctance to Rein in Militias

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has cautioned leaders of the Coordination Framework about the threats facing Iraq due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran (X)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has cautioned leaders of the Coordination Framework about the threats facing Iraq due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran (X)
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Iraq Frustrated by Iran’s Reluctance to Rein in Militias

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has cautioned leaders of the Coordination Framework about the threats facing Iraq due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran (X)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has cautioned leaders of the Coordination Framework about the threats facing Iraq due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran (X)

A senior government official said Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has warned leaders of the Coordination Framework about the “risks to Iraq” from the growing conflict between Israel and Iran.

The official added that Iran is using “deception” when asked to distance its allied militias from the war.

Political and government figures are increasingly worried that Iraq could be hit, after two Israeli soldiers were killed in a drone strike on the Golan Heights early Friday.

Speaking anonymously to Asharq Al-Awsat, the official said al-Sudani is taking steps to keep Iraq out of the conflict.

These efforts include ramping up “political mediation” to persuade militias not to involve Iraq. The prime minister “informed Coordination Framework leaders of the risks” and urged them to “act quickly.”

The official also warned that an attack is still possible, saying intelligence shows the Iraqi militias launched the strike from outside Iraq, using weapons that came from Iraqi territory.

Al-Sudani’s Mediation Efforts

The Iraqi premier has chosen mediators, approved by Iran, to negotiate with militias about the conflict and conditions for de-escalation. These three individuals have previously acted as mediators in past crises.

Last week, Asharq Al-Awsat reported that al-Sudani asked three key Shiite figures to intervene and prevent militias from getting involved in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, after reports surfaced that Israel had identified 35 Iraqi targets.

Sources confirmed that Ammar al-Hakim is among the mediators, along with two other influential Shiite leaders whose names haven’t been disclosed.

However, two Iraqi militias—likely the al-Nujaba Movement led by Akram al-Kaabi and Kataib Hezbollah led by Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi—have refused to cooperate and continue launching rocket attacks on Israel.

The Iraqi official admitted that some militias are “stubborn,” but stressed that al-Sudani knows Iraq is “at the center of the storm.”

He reportedly told leaders of the Coordination Framework, “Iraq cannot avoid a military strike if it happens, so we must stay out of the war to protect the country.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in a Friday sermon, stated that “Iran’s allies in the region won’t back down,” increasing concerns that Iraqi militias tied to Iran will continue attacking Israel.

Iraqi sources also reported that the Coordination Framework has reviewed an “intelligence report” on dozens of Iraqi targets that Israel might strike or assassinate.

Government Efforts to Prevent Escalation

Al-Sudani has blocked the flow of Iraqi funds into conflict zones, unlike previous leaders, according to the official.

He has worked closely with the US and its Treasury Department to strictly monitor financial movements, often insisting that Iran uses official channels to claim its dues from Iraq.

The official also said global auditing firms are now helping Iraq’s central bank oversee financial transactions, shutting down all previous routes for illicit money flows.

Since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, the US told Iraq it pressured Israel not to strike Iraq, as long as Iraq stays out of the conflict, the official added.

The US doesn’t oppose Iraq’s stance of condemning Israel, supporting Lebanon and Palestine, and sending aid.

But it “won’t accept any financial or military support to militias.”

Regarding Iran’s role, the official said Tehran claims militias act independently, dodging responsibility for reining them in.