Sudanese Opposition Members Hold Meetings in Dubai

Protesters in Sudan. (Reuters)
Protesters in Sudan. (Reuters)
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Sudanese Opposition Members Hold Meetings in Dubai

Protesters in Sudan. (Reuters)
Protesters in Sudan. (Reuters)

Sudan People's Liberation Movement’s (SPLM) deputy leader, Yasir Arman, revealed that a delegation had arrived in the United Arab Emirates to hold talks on restoring peace in the African state.

In a statement, he clarified that the delegation landed in Dubai upon an invitation from the UAE. He added that the Gulf country is keen on aiding the people of Sudan balance their ambitions for peace and democracy and national stability.

Urging the supporting states to respond to the people’s calls and demands, Arman said: “We have ended the so-called fascist political Islam project, which ruined both religion and politics, and call for working together to build a new Sudan and resolve the challenges for the benefit of all.”

He also refuted claims that the anti-regime protests have resorted to armed action.

He reiterated the SPLM’s commitment to non-violence as a mean to impact change.

On the other hand, the German news agency, dpa, quoted SPLM sources as confirming the UAE meeting between the movement’s leaders and the Sudan Liberation Army, which is led by Minni Arko Minnawi.

Sources pointed out that the two sides may sign a memorandum of understanding in Dubai, outlining their vision to resolve the crisis. This may pave the way for direct meetings with the military council in Khartoum.

The dpa reports were not backed by an official UAE source.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, who is head of the SPLM, had also offered to mediate in the ongoing political transition in Sudan after the fall of former president Omar al-Bashir.

“The president has offered to mediate the ongoing negotiations among various groups in Sudan with the hope that the new transition will usher in a new day in Sudan…,” a statement by Kiir’s office said.



Israel Launches 1st Airstrike on Lebanon Since Ceasefire

This aerial view taken a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took hold shows traffic driving past destroyed buildings in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on November 28, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
This aerial view taken a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took hold shows traffic driving past destroyed buildings in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on November 28, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
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Israel Launches 1st Airstrike on Lebanon Since Ceasefire

This aerial view taken a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took hold shows traffic driving past destroyed buildings in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on November 28, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
This aerial view taken a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took hold shows traffic driving past destroyed buildings in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on November 28, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

The Israeli military on Thursday said its warplanes fired on southern Lebanon after detecting Hezbollah activity at a rocket storage facility, the first Israeli airstrike a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took hold.

There was no immediate word on casualties from Israel's aerial attack, The Associated Press reported.

The Israeli army said a warplane carried out an airstrike after "terrorist activity was detected at a Hezbollah facility containing medium-range rockets in south Lebanon."

"The IDF (Israeli army) is deployed in southern Lebanon, acting to thwart any violation of the ceasefire agreement," the Israeli military added.

The mayor of the town of Baysariyeh in southern Lebanon, Nazih Eid, told AFP that a warplane launched a raid "on the eastern edge of the town of Baysariyeh. They targeted a forested area not accessible to civilians."

The aerial attack came hours after the Israeli military said it fired on people trying to return to certain areas in southern Lebanon. Israel said they were violating the ceasefire agreement, without providing details. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said two people were wounded.

The back-to-back incidents stirred unease about the agreement, brokered by the United States and France, which includes an initial two-month ceasefire in which Hezbollah militants are to withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli forces are to return to their side of the border. The buffer zone would be patrolled by Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers.

On Thursday, the second day of a ceasefire after more than a year of bloody conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon's state news agency reported that Israeli fire targeted civilians in Markaba, close to the border, without providing further details. Israel said it fired artillery in three other locations near the border. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Israeli military said in a statement that “several suspects were identified arriving with vehicles to a number of areas in southern Lebanon, breaching the conditions of the ceasefire.” It said troops “opened fire toward them” and would “actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement.”

Israeli officials have said forces will be withdrawn gradually as it ensures that the agreement is being enforced. Israel has warned people not to return to areas where troops are deployed, and says it reserves the right to strike Hezbollah if it violates the terms of the truce.

A Lebanese military official said Lebanese troops would gradually deploy in the south as Israeli troops withdraw.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said on Thursday it was ending some protective restrictions that had limited the size of gatherings in parts of central and northern Israel.

The change was made following a situational assessment, the military said.