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Sudan Fears Major Surge in COVID-19 Cases

A Sudanese man wearing a face mask as a protection against the coronavirus walks in the center of the capital Khartoum, March 15, 2020. (DPA)
A Sudanese man wearing a face mask as a protection against the coronavirus walks in the center of the capital Khartoum, March 15, 2020. (DPA)
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Sudan Fears Major Surge in COVID-19 Cases

A Sudanese man wearing a face mask as a protection against the coronavirus walks in the center of the capital Khartoum, March 15, 2020. (DPA)
A Sudanese man wearing a face mask as a protection against the coronavirus walks in the center of the capital Khartoum, March 15, 2020. (DPA)

Sudan announced 56 COVID-19 deaths in its first report after it entered the second virus wave, raising death toll in the country to 1,175 coronavirus since the epidemic began, according to the World Health Organization.

It also reported 15,047 coronavirus cases and 9,600 recoveries.

However, several press reports cast doubt over the official announced figures and said the actual number of infections is higher.

Also, the Ministry of Finance announced that acting Finance Minister Heba Mohamed has been infected and be quarantined at home.

Last week, Sudanese Minister of Health Osama Abdelrahim contracted COVID-19 along with two directors in his ministry.

Moreover, two of the Sudanese prime minister's close associates and the president of the central bank tested positive for the virus.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's senior advisor, Al-Sheikh Khedr, and his office manager, Ali Bakheet, have tested positive as well. Notably, the latter has recovered.

Sudan’s National Umma Party announced that its leader Sadiq al-Mahdi tested positive for the virus and is receiving treatment along with 21 of his family members and party leaders.

The Sudanese Ministry of Health warned of the sharp rise in infections during the second wave of the pandemic. It stressed the importance of wearing face masks and abiding by social distancing, in addition to sterilizing and washing hands.

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Erdogan Says Türkiye Can ‘Crush’ All Terrorists in Syria

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives a press conference during the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19, 2024. (AFP)
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives a press conference during the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19, 2024. (AFP)
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Erdogan Says Türkiye Can ‘Crush’ All Terrorists in Syria

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives a press conference during the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19, 2024. (AFP)
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives a press conference during the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19, 2024. (AFP)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Wednesday that Türkiye had the power and ability to "crush" all terrorists in Syria, including ISIS and Kurdish militants, while urging all countries to "take their hands off" Syria.

Since last month's fall of Bashar al-Assad, Türkiye has said repeatedly it was time for the Kurdish YPG militia to disband. Ankara considers the group, which spearheads the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as a terrorist organization.

Ankara has said the new Syrian administration must be given an opportunity to address the YPG presence, but also threatened to mount a new cross-border operation against the militia based in northeast Syria if its demands are not met.

Speaking in parliament, Erdogan said the YPG was the biggest problem in Syria now, and added that the group would not be able to escape its inevitable end unless it lays down its arms.

"Regarding fabricated excuses like ISIS, these have no convincing side anymore," Erdogan said, referring to the US position that the YPG was a key partner against ISIS in Syria and that it plays a vital role guarding prison camps where the extremist militants are kept.

"If there is really a fear of the ISIS threat in Syria and the region, the biggest power that has the will and power to resolve this issue is Türkiye," he said.

"Everyone should take their hands off Syria and we, along with our Syrian siblings, will crush the heads of ISIS, the YPG and other terrorist organizations in a short time."

Türkiye has repeatedly asked its NATO ally the United States to halt support for the SDF, and has said the new administration in Syria had offered to take over the management of the prisons. 

Later on Wednesday , Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara is ready to provide support to the new Syrian administration for the management of ISIS camps in the country.

"As we have always said, we are also ready to provide the necessary assistance to the new administration in the management of ISIS camps and prisons," Fidan said.

Speaking in Ankara following his meeting with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, Fidan also said diplomatic efforts will continue to ensure the removal of sanctions against Syria.