Arab, Muslim States Support Morocco’s Latest Move in Sahara

Photo published on the Moroccan armed forces Facebook page shows the deployment of soldiers to reopen the Guerguerat crossing
Photo published on the Moroccan armed forces Facebook page shows the deployment of soldiers to reopen the Guerguerat crossing
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Arab, Muslim States Support Morocco’s Latest Move in Sahara

Photo published on the Moroccan armed forces Facebook page shows the deployment of soldiers to reopen the Guerguerat crossing
Photo published on the Moroccan armed forces Facebook page shows the deployment of soldiers to reopen the Guerguerat crossing

Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries have extended support to the Moroccan measures at Guerguerat, and deplored practices that jeopardize travel in the vital road crossing.

Saudi Arabia expressed on Saturday its support to Morocco’s move to cement freedom of civilian and commercial travel in the buffer zone in the Sahara.

The Foreign Ministry condemned all practices that threaten safe travel in the vital road that connects Morocco to neighboring Mauritania. It called for restraint and avoiding escalation in line with relevant international resolutions.

In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry reiterated support to a "decision by Moroccan King Mohammed VI to end the illegal incursions in the buffer zone of Guerguerat and secure the commercial and individual movement on the crossing."

Since Oct. 21, members of the Polisario Front have obstructed the passage of Moroccan trucks through the crossing into Mauritania.

Qatar and Bahrain had earlier announced their support to the Moroccan move at the crossing, while Oman reiterated its support for the UN’s efforts to reach a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict.

As for Jordan, it affirmed “support for the measures that King Mohammed VI ordered to restore safety and security in the buffer zone of Guerguerat.”

In the meantime, Spain called on "the parties to resume the negotiation process and move towards a political, fair, lasting and mutually acceptable solution."

Chairman of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed his "deep concern following the deterioration of the situation in the Western Sahara, especially in the buffer zone of Guerguerat, and the serious threats of breaching the ceasefire in force since 1991."



Syria Protests Spread to Kurdish-majority Northeast

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 Protests Spread to Kurdish-majority Northeast

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

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Syria's Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli on Tuesday amid wider protests over fuel price hikes, the largest against the new authorities.

Syrian authorities on Sunday announced an increase in fuel prices amid global surges due to the Middle East war. The price of diesel saw a 40 percent increase, while petrol prices increased by 26 percent.

An AFP correspondent on Tuesday saw men and women in Qamishli holding placards that read "no to the policy of starvation", "preserve people's strength" and "no to the increase in fuel prices" while others chanted "our fuel is for the people".

North and northeast Syria contain the country's largest oil and gas fields and are now under government control after Damascus earlier this year seized areas previously held by Kurdish forces.

Despite a January agreement to integrate Kurdish forces and areas into the state, tensions have remained, as Kurds demand safeguards for their rights.

"This decision is wrong. It's a decision against farmers, workers, and students -- against all the poor in Syria," Abdul Rahman Khalil, 56, said.

"People will not remain silent about this decision," he added.

Khansa Nehmat, 48, said "the prices of diesel and bread must return to what they were, and they must comply with the people's demands".

Protests have erupted for three consecutive days in different parts of Syria's north, northwest and northeast.

Damascus has sought to justify the move, citing higher prices in global energy markets due to the regional war, as Syria currently relies heavily on imports to meet its fuel needs.

The country's energy infrastructure remains dilapidated as a result of more than a decade of war and neglect.

The ongoing protests are the first of their kind since the new authorities seized power after ousting in December 2024 longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, under whom demonstrations were strictly prohibited.


Arab Parliament Condemns Terrorist Houthi Militia Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Arab Parliament Condemns Terrorist Houthi Militia Attacks on Saudi Arabia
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Arab Parliament Condemns Terrorist Houthi Militia Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Arab Parliament Condemns Terrorist Houthi Militia Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Arab Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al-Yamahi expressed the Arab Parliament's strong condemnation of the terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia using ballistic missiles and drones against the cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif in Saudi Arabia, which resulted in injuries to several civilians and material damage to homes and vehicles.

In a statement, the Arab Parliament speaker stressed that these blatant attacks constitute a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, the UN Charter, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, SPA reported.

Al-Yamahi renewed the Arab Parliament's full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures it takes to protect its sovereignty, security, and stability, as well as its citizens and residents, emphasizing that the Kingdom's security is an integral part of the pan-Arab national security system.

The Arab Parliament called on the UN Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities, take a firm position to stop these repeated attacks, and hold those responsible and their supporters accountable in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the region.


Egypt Condemns Continued Attacks on Saudi Arabia

An Egyptian flag flutters in Cairo, Egypt, January 15, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
An Egyptian flag flutters in Cairo, Egypt, January 15, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
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Egypt Condemns Continued Attacks on Saudi Arabia

An Egyptian flag flutters in Cairo, Egypt, January 15, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
An Egyptian flag flutters in Cairo, Egypt, January 15, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo

Egypt has strongly condemned the recent attacks against the Kingdom, describing them as a clear violation of the principles and provisions of international law and a blatant threat to regional security and stability.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its rejection of the attacks and warned against their recurrence, stressing that such actions only fuel tensions and further escalate the situation in the region.

Egypt affirmed its full solidarity and unwavering support for Saudi Arabia in confronting any threats directed against it, emphasizing that the national security of the two countries is inseparable.