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Egypt Affirms Support for Efforts to Combat Terrorism in Africa’s Sahel Region

West African countries suffer from the spread of terrorist groups (AFP)
West African countries suffer from the spread of terrorist groups (AFP)
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Egypt Affirms Support for Efforts to Combat Terrorism in Africa’s Sahel Region

West African countries suffer from the spread of terrorist groups (AFP)
West African countries suffer from the spread of terrorist groups (AFP)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty affirmed on Friday his country’s support for efforts to combat terrorism and extremism in West Africa’s Sahel region.
The Minister held a phone call with Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traore. The talks focused on enhancing existing cooperation and exploring new opportunities aligned with both countries' current priorities, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Abdelatty emphasized Egypt's commitment to supporting national capacity building and institutional development in African nations through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, and the scholarships from Egyptian universities.
He reiterated his country’s support for Burkina Faso’s efforts against terrorism and cross-border crime and highlighted the role of Al-Azhar mission in Burkina Faso in countering extremist ideologies and promoting moderate, accurate representations of Islam.
The Egyptian Minister also expressed Cairo’s dedication to strengthening peace and security in Africa, addressing shared regional and international issues, and responding to the security challenges facing West African countries, particularly in the Sahel and Sahara regions.
Also, in a call with his Nigerian counterpart Bakari Yao Sangare, Abdelatty underscored Egypt's role in assisting Niger in combating terrorism and building national capacities.
Both sides reviewed the latest developments in the Sahel region and West Africa and other regional and international issues.
The ministers also discussed the prospects of strengthening the existing bilateral cooperation frameworks during the coming period, especially in the economic and development fields.
Furthermore, Egypt's FM spoke to his Malian counterpart Abdoulaye Diop, given the “great importance of Mali in the Sahel region of Africa,” as described in the ministry statement.
During the phone call, Abdelatty affirmed Cairo's ongoing efforts to bolster security and stability in West Africa and support national governments in reclaiming sovereignty over their territories and combating terrorism.

 

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Yemen's Houthis Allege US Airstrike Hit a Prison Holding Migrants

Yemeni soldiers walk amid the rubble as they inspect a damaged area after US airstrikes targeted a neighborhood in Sana'a, Yemen, 27 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARH
Yemeni soldiers walk amid the rubble as they inspect a damaged area after US airstrikes targeted a neighborhood in Sana'a, Yemen, 27 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARH
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Yemen's Houthis Allege US Airstrike Hit a Prison Holding Migrants

Yemeni soldiers walk amid the rubble as they inspect a damaged area after US airstrikes targeted a neighborhood in Sana'a, Yemen, 27 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARH
Yemeni soldiers walk amid the rubble as they inspect a damaged area after US airstrikes targeted a neighborhood in Sana'a, Yemen, 27 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARH

Yemen’s Houthi militant group on Monday alleged a US airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, killing and wounding some of the 100 inmates held there. The US military had no immediate comment.

The strike in Yemen's Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, is the latest incident in the country's decadelong war.

It also likely will renew questions from activists about the American campaign, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” which has been targeting the group as the Trump administration negotiates with their main benefactor, Iran, over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.

The US military's Central Command in a statement early Monday before news of the alleged strike broke sought to defend its policy of offering no specific details of its extensive airstrike campaign.

“To preserve operational security, we have intentionally limited disclosing details of our ongoing or future operations,” Central Command said. “We are very deliberate in our operational approach, but will not reveal specifics about what we’ve done or what we will do.”

It did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press about the alleged strike in Saada.

Graphic footage shows aftermath of explosion

Graphic footage aired by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel showed what appeared to be dead bodies and others wounded at the site. An al-Masirah correspondent said some 100 migrants had been detained at the site.

Casualty figures weren’t immediately clear. However, footage from the site analyzed by the AP suggested some kind of explosion took place there, with its cement walls seemingly peppered by debris fragments and the wounds suffered by those there.

A woman's voice, soft in the footage, can be heard repeating the start of a prayer in Arabic: “In the name of God.” An occasional gunshot rang out as medics sought to help those wounded.

US military says over 800 strikes conducted in campaign so far

Meanwhile, US airstrikes overnight targeting Yemen's capital killed at least eight people, the Houthis said. The American military acknowledged carrying out over 800 individual strikes in their monthlong campaign.

The overnight statement from the US military's Central Command also said its “Operation Roughrider” targeting the Houthis had “killed hundreds of fighters and numerous Houthi leaders,” including those associated with its missile and drone program. It did not identify any of those officials.

“Iran undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Houthis,” the statement said. “The Houthis can only continue to attack our forces with the backing of the Iranian regime.”

"We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region," it added.

The US is targeting the Houthis because of the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, and on Israel. The Houthis also are the last militant group in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking Israel.