Sisi Inaugurates Bernice Military Base at Event Attended by Khalid bin Salman, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince

Egypt's Bernice military base. (Twitter)
Egypt's Bernice military base. (Twitter)
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Sisi Inaugurates Bernice Military Base at Event Attended by Khalid bin Salman, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince

Egypt's Bernice military base. (Twitter)
Egypt's Bernice military base. (Twitter)

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated on Wednesday the Bernice military base on the Red Sea. The event was attended by Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

The inauguration was also attended by Egyptian parliament Speaker Ali Abdul Aal, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli and Defense Minister Mohammed Zaki.

Described as the largest air and land base in the Middle East, Bernice covers an area of 150,000 acres and overlooks the Red Sea coast on Egypt’s southern border. It includes two tarmacs and a hangar to perform maintenance operations on jets, reported Egypt’s official news agency. It boasts many firing and training ranges for all weapons, in addition to a number of logistic and housing facilities. It comprises a naval base, air base, military hospital and a number of combat and administrative units.

The base has already witnessed a major military drill, Qadir 2020, that included the participation of Mistral-class carriers, submarines, combat ships, amphibious units and various fighters.

In a tweet, Sheikh Mohamed said: “I was happy to accompany the Egyptian President during the opening of the Berenice military base and civilian airport. Such achievements reflect Egypt's vision of all-round development and enhance its role in regional stability. We wish it more progress and prosperity.”



Dozens Die of Mysterious Illness in Besieged Sudan Town

FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo
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Dozens Die of Mysterious Illness in Besieged Sudan Town

FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo

At least 73 people have died of mysterious causes in the Sudanese town of al-Hilaliya, besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the Sudanese Doctors Union said late on Wednesday.
It is one of dozens of villages that have come under attack in eastern El Jezira state since the defection of a top RSF commander to the army, which prompted revenge attacks that have displaced more than 135,000 people.
The war between the two forces has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 11 million and plunging more into hunger while drawing in foreign powers and prompting fears of state collapse, Reuters said.
While high death tolls in other parts of Jezira came as a result of RSF shelling and gunfire, in Hilaliya people have fallen ill with diarrhea, overwhelming a local hospital according to the union and three people from the area.
A network blackout enforced by the RSF has made it difficult to determine the exact cause.
One man who spoke to Reuters said three of his family members had died of the same illness, but he only found out days later when others escaped to an area with internet access.
Those who wish to leave must pay high sums at RSF checkpoints, said another man.
According to pro-democracy activists, the siege began on Oct. 29 when the RSF raided the town, killing five and surrounding residents inside three mosques.
Hilaliya is home to the family of defected commander Abuagla Keikal, which locals say may explain the siege of a previously stable trade hub that had housed 50,000 people, including many displaced from other areas.
The town's markets and warehouses were looted, witnesses said.
Satellite imagery from a Yale Humanitarian Lab report showed rapid increase in cemeteries in several Jezira towns since the latest revenge attacks began in late October. It also showed evidence of the burning of agricultural fields in the village of Azrag.