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Arab World

Egypt and Jordan Reaffirm Commitment to Two-State Solution

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II meet in Cairo on December 27, 2023. (Reuters)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II meet in Cairo on December 27, 2023. (Reuters)
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Egypt and Jordan Reaffirm Commitment to Two-State Solution

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II meet in Cairo on December 27, 2023. (Reuters)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II meet in Cairo on December 27, 2023. (Reuters)

Egypt and Jordan reiterated the importance of achieving lasting peace in the region through the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, emphasizing that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is the only guarantee for peace and stability in the Middle East.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II held telephone talks on Tuesday to discuss regional developments, particularly the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, including the exchange of hostages and detainees and ensuring humanitarian aid access to the people of Gaza, said the Egyptian presidency.

The conversation took place amid widespread controversy over US President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, a move that was firmly rejected by both Cairo and Amman.

In a shock statement later on Tuesday, Trump said the US would take over the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and develop it economically after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere.

According to the Egyptian presidency, Sisi and King Abdullah stressed the need for the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and emphasized the urgent need for the enclave’s reconstruction.

They reiterated the need for permanent peace based on the two-state solution, calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The leaders also underscored the importance of maintaining a unified Arab stance advocating for a comprehensive peace agreement that ensures regional stability and economic prosperity.

King Abdullah II is scheduled to visit Washington on February 11 to meet with Trump.

In addition, the Egyptian presidency stated that Sisi and Abdullah discussed the situation in Syria, stressing the need to restore stability, preserve territorial integrity and protect its people. They underlined the importance of an inclusive political process that represents all segments of Syrian society.

On Lebanon, they renewed their commitment to the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The telephone talks came as the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Egypt’s ambassador, along with diplomats from Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and the deputy ambassadors of the UAE and Qatar, met with Senior Bureau Official in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the US Department of State Timothy Lenderking.

The meeting was part of a series of discussions with senior officials from the US administration, the National Security Council, and the State Department, aimed at conveying Arab positions and boosting coordination with the Trump administration.

Irina Tsukerman, a US strategic affairs expert, told Asharq Al-Awsat that these diplomatic moves represent “a decisive push to shift Washington’s stance toward a more balanced approach, while pressing for a stronger position on humanitarian aid and a ceasefire agreement.”

She added that direct engagement with US policymakers highlights a concerted diplomatic effort to influence Washington’s approach.

Given the firm Arab stance against the displacement of Palestinians, the objective is to eliminate any proposed solutions involving forced displacement and encourage the US to adopt a more balanced position. This could pressure Israel to consider long-term solutions, such as a sustainable ceasefire, renewed peace negotiations, and increased US involvement in the peace process, she said.

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Arab World

Sudanese Army Repels Blue Nile Attack, Advances in Kordofan

Sudanese army troops take part in a military parade in Gedaref (AFP) 
Sudanese army troops take part in a military parade in Gedaref (AFP) 
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Sudanese Army Repels Blue Nile Attack, Advances in Kordofan

Sudanese army troops take part in a military parade in Gedaref (AFP) 
Sudanese army troops take part in a military parade in Gedaref (AFP) 

Fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has spread from the Kordofan fronts to the Blue Nile region, where local authorities reported repelling an attack on Al-Kaili in Kurmuk locality, while the army announced it had retaken 11 areas in North Kordofan after battles with the RSF.

Authorities in Kurmuk reported that army forces prevented the RSF from entering Al-Kaili, adding that the attacking force had crossed from Ethiopian territory.

The army, for its part, said a preemptive attack south of the area killed a number of RSF fighters and destroyed nine combat vehicles.

The route taken by the attacking force and the casualties reported by the army could not be independently verified.

In North Kordofan, the army announced Thursday that it had retaken 11 areas west of El Obeid, including Kajmar, Sharshar, Al-Qulay’at and Awlad Hazmah, as well as the area surrounding Al-Mazrub.

Sudan’s official news agency SUNA reported the army’s announcement that it had “liberated several areas” in the state.

According to the military, its forces fought battles with the RSF and carried out sweeping operations in areas into which they had advanced. There was no independent confirmation, however, that the army controlled all the locations it listed.

The developments come amid escalating fighting on several fronts across Kordofan.

According to military sources, army forces and their allies had advanced around the city of Bara and moved toward Sodari in the northwestern part of North Kordofan, while other sources reported the recapture of Al-Farshaya in South Kordofan and Al-Mamsouka in West Kordofan.

Pro-army platforms reported fighting west of Bara and indicated that army forces had entered villages where RSF fighters had been stationed.

At the same time, reports emerged that eight people had been killed and others wounded in an attack in North Kordofan attributed to the RSF, although sufficient independent details about the circumstances were not available.

Sodari is militarily significant because of its location along routes linking North Kordofan with Darfur, making control of surrounding roads important for the movement of troops and supplies westward.

Fighting in recent months has altered the map of territorial control around Bara and along the Export Road linking Khartoum and El Obeid.

In South Kordofan, military operations have focused on routes linking Kadugli, Dilling and El Obeid.

Field sources indicated that the recapture of Al-Farshaya, if confirmed, could improve army movements along the Dilling axis. They also reported movements toward Al-Dibaybat, along roads leading to West Kordofan.

The army has expanded its area of control in North Kordofan in recent months following heavy fighting in which it regained control of Bara, Umm Sayala, Jabra al-Sheikh, Jireikh, Umm Qirfa and other areas, allowing it to reopen the Export Road linking Khartoum and El Obeid.

Arab World

Syria Arrests Five Former Officers over Assad-era Airstrikes

A man holds Syrian opposition flags as he celebrates after Syria's army command notified officers that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended, in Aleppo, Syria December 8, 2024. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri
A man holds Syrian opposition flags as he celebrates after Syria's army command notified officers that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended, in Aleppo, Syria December 8, 2024. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri
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Syria Arrests Five Former Officers over Assad-era Airstrikes

A man holds Syrian opposition flags as he celebrates after Syria's army command notified officers that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended, in Aleppo, Syria December 8, 2024. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri
A man holds Syrian opposition flags as he celebrates after Syria's army command notified officers that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended, in Aleppo, Syria December 8, 2024. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

Syrian security forces said on Friday they had arrested five former air force officers accused of involvement in airstrikes on civilians during the rule of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

Over more than 13 years of a civil war that claimed more than half a million lives, Syrian forces relentlessly shelled areas held by the opposition forces before Assad was toppled in December 2024 and the current government came to power.

The Internal Security Forces said in a statement that they carried out a series of operations that led to "the arrest of five senior Air Force officers and commanders from the former regime".

The force said investigations were ongoing ahead of the suspects' referral to the judiciary.

The detainees were involved "in planning, managing and carrying out aerial bombardment operations, and in using the air force, air bases and field command centers to conduct intensive combat airstrikes targeting populated areas", the statement said.

Since Assad was overthrown in December 2024, Syria's new authorities have arrested dozens of former security officials, while trials began in April.

Earlier this month Syrian authorities said they had arrested nine former pilots including three generals accused of taking part in lethal bombings of towns and villages under Assad's rule.

Syria sentenced Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and five other security officials to death in absentia in August for atrocities committed during the civil war.

The former president fled Syria as his government fell and is believed to be living in Russia.

Arab World

‘Mechanism’ Defuses Lebanese-Israeli Military Standoff

Lebanese soldiers deploy on the outskirts of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon after Israeli forces advanced toward the town, positioned tanks, and threw stun grenades (AFP)
Lebanese soldiers deploy on the outskirts of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon after Israeli forces advanced toward the town, positioned tanks, and threw stun grenades (AFP)
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‘Mechanism’ Defuses Lebanese-Israeli Military Standoff

Lebanese soldiers deploy on the outskirts of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon after Israeli forces advanced toward the town, positioned tanks, and threw stun grenades (AFP)
Lebanese soldiers deploy on the outskirts of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon after Israeli forces advanced toward the town, positioned tanks, and threw stun grenades (AFP)

Tensions flared between the Lebanese army and Israeli forces on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese town of Deir Mimas on Friday after an Israeli unit advanced toward a newly established army position and demanded that it be evacuated.

Contacts through the ceasefire monitoring “mechanism” helped contain the situation, and the Israeli force later withdrew to its position at Tall al-Nahhas. The Lebanese army maintained its deployment in the area and reinforced its presence along the main road in Burj al-Muluk.

The confrontation began when an Israeli force advanced toward the outskirts of Deir Mimas, reaching an intersection near a position recently established by the Lebanese army to support local residents and secure their movement in the area, particularly during the olive harvest.

According to information from the scene, the Israeli force ordered Lebanese soldiers to dismantle the position and leave the area before throwing stun grenades nearby in an attempt to drive them away. The incident prompted a military alert but no exchange of fire.

The Lebanese army initially sent reinforcements to the newly established position, as contacts were initiated through the relevant military channels to prevent the confrontation from escalating.

Dispute over position’s location

The Israeli military said the Lebanese position was located inside what it calls the “Yellow Line,” an Israeli designation for the area that Lebanon does not recognize as an official border or demarcation line.

The military coordination group for Lebanon, operating under the “mechanism,” intervened to address the dispute. Intensive contacts sought to prevent the confrontation from developing into a direct clash between the two armies.

The Lebanese army temporarily evacuated the contested position during efforts to resolve the standoff, allowing the Israeli force to move into the area for a limited period.

The Israeli troops withdrew about 90 minutes later from the position near the entrance to Deir Mimas and returned to their post at Tall al-Nahhas.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Israeli troops searched several homes in Deir Mimas during their presence in the area.

The Lebanese army, meanwhile, maintained its deployment, with units remaining stationed along the main road in Burj al-Muluk as they monitored Israeli movements and other developments along the route.

The confrontation was among the most significant recent incidents of direct contact between the Lebanese army and Israeli forces. It centered on a dispute over the location of an army position and occurred as discussions continued through the “mechanism” over conditions in southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army’s deployment there.

Israeli movements on several fronts

The tensions in Deir Mimas coincided with Israeli movements elsewhere in southern Lebanon. Israeli military vehicles advanced from the direction of the town of al-Tiri toward the outskirts of Hadatha, near Haris in the Bint Jbeil district.

Israeli artillery shelling also resumed on Friday morning against the towns of al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun following heavy bombardment before and after midnight. Explosions were heard in the city of Tyre and several surrounding towns and villages.

Several shells struck Wadi al-Azziyeh, while artillery fire also hit Wadi Nahle on the outskirts of Shaqra.

Israeli forces fired illumination flares over the towns of Hadatha and Aita al-Jabal in the Bint Jbeil district overnight. Explosions were heard at dawn across large parts of southern Lebanon, reaching the city of Sidon and its surrounding areas.

The escalation comes as political and military contacts continue over the implementation of arrangements for southern Lebanon. Confrontations on the ground have repeatedly occurred at several locations amid continuing Israeli movements and military operations along the border region and inside a number of southern towns.