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Arab League to Asharq Al-Awsat: Differences Persist on Restoring Syria Membership

The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)
The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)
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Arab League to Asharq Al-Awsat: Differences Persist on Restoring Syria Membership

The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)
The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)

Arab League Assistant Secretary General Hossam Zaki stated that differences still persist between Arab countries over restoring Syria's membership at the organization.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that discussions on Syria's membership arise ahead of any Arab League ministerial meeting or summit, citing efforts by Algeria, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to end Damascus' isolation.

"Ultimately, no progress has been made," he revealed, saying: "Consensus is necessary."

Consensus will not be possible amid the differences in positions among members, "but we are following the issue closely to determine whether we can resolve them before the next Arab League meeting," Zaki added.

Syria's membership was suspended in 2011 over its brutal crackdown on peaceful anti-regime protesters at the start of its conflict.

The Arab League had suspended its work for over a month due to the coronavirus pandemic. A summit had been scheduled for Algeria in March, but it has been postponed. Meetings and talks have been held by telephone and video conference.

Zaki said the organization has gradually been resuming its work in line with the preventive measures adopted by Egypt, where the Arab League is based. The organization's headquarters are regularly sterilized and disinfected and employees are being tested for the virus.

The situation is so far "reassuring", he stated.

On whether the Arab League will resume its meetings normally, he said this issue will take time and at the moment, "we must rely on digital platforms."

He hoped that Arab countries will end up taking advantage of the pandemic to develop closer bonds and resilience in confronting natural disasters.

Zaki predicted that the world will contend with the repercussions of the pandemic for a "long time and they will, unfortunately, not be easily overcome, especially after opponents of globalization in the West discovered that they lacked the national means to produce the main gear needed to combat the outbreak."

"They were reluctantly forced to turn to foreign manufacturers. This will definitely leave its mark on the coming phase and our Arab countries will be affected by this in varying degrees," he said.

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Red Cross Spokesperson: War in Sudan Caused Catastrophic Humanitarian Conditions

Smoke billows from al-Jaili oil refinery north of Omdurman, the Sudanese capital's twin city, during battles between the Sudanese military forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on January 15, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke billows from al-Jaili oil refinery north of Omdurman, the Sudanese capital's twin city, during battles between the Sudanese military forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on January 15, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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Red Cross Spokesperson: War in Sudan Caused Catastrophic Humanitarian Conditions

Smoke billows from al-Jaili oil refinery north of Omdurman, the Sudanese capital's twin city, during battles between the Sudanese military forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on January 15, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke billows from al-Jaili oil refinery north of Omdurman, the Sudanese capital's twin city, during battles between the Sudanese military forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on January 15, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

The spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sudan, Adnan Hazam, has described the situation in Sudan as catastrophic, stating that the war has created a “grim humanitarian reality.”

He emphasized that the scale of needs is enormous, but humanitarian aid remains modest due to the complexities of accessing conflict zones, delivering assistance, and ensuring its distribution within the country.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Hazam noted that millions of Sudanese are in urgent need of aid. He revealed that tens of thousands have been killed and injured as a result of the war, which has also displaced over 11 million people both internally and externally. The conflict has caused severe damage to infrastructure, particularly water, healthcare, and electricity services.

Hazam explained that the aid being delivered is aimed at alleviating suffering as much as possible under the current circumstances.

According to Hazam, the ICRC is concentrating its efforts this year on life-saving activities and meeting basic humanitarian needs. These include healthcare, protection, food relief, and financial assistance for the most affected communities near conflict zones. The organization is also working to reunite families separated by the war and locate missing persons.

The spokesperson added that the ICRC is coordinating with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society in most parts of the country and collaborating with official health authorities. He acknowledged the immense challenges facing humanitarian organizations in Sudan, saying: “The scale of needs is staggering. Our efforts aim to mitigate suffering, but ending it completely is beyond reach, as the conflict has created a deeply painful humanitarian reality.”

He stressed that the ICRC is in constant communication with all parties to the conflict to facilitate access to those in need.

“We remind all sides of their moral and legal obligations under international humanitarian law, which prohibits targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, guarantees safe passage for displaced persons, and protects healthcare and public service facilities—80% of which are no longer functional,” he remarked.

Hazam highlighted the deteriorating health and environmental conditions in Sudan, which have severely impacted the population and made access to healthcare increasingly difficult.

“With the spread of epidemics and seasonal diseases, the burden on the few operational healthcare institutions has doubled,” he said.

He also called for an end to attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel, emphasizing the need for greater adherence to international humanitarian law.

Regarding the evacuation of civilians trapped in conflict zones, Hazam explained that the ICRC is engaged in ongoing dialogue with the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He noted that the organization is urging both parties to open safe corridors in conflict areas, stressing that this is a “legal and moral obligation that must be fulfilled.”

Hazam noted that the ICRC has previously acted as a neutral mediator to facilitate the evacuation of detainees from both sides, but such actions require direct requests and security guarantees. He emphasized: “Civilians who choose to remain must be protected, as they are not participants in the hostilities.”

The ICRC official expressed hope for lasting peace and stability in Sudan, noting that it would significantly ease humanitarian suffering.

“The Sudanese people deserve to live in safety,” he said. He reiterated that the ICRC operates with neutrality and independence, striving to reach those most in need.

According to the latest UN reports, over 25.6 million people in Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 755,000 at risk of severe famine.