Establishment of Russian Base on Sudan's Red Sea Under Study

Sudanese army Chief of Staff Mohamed Othman al-Hussein  - AAWSAT AR
Sudanese army Chief of Staff Mohamed Othman al-Hussein - AAWSAT AR
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Establishment of Russian Base on Sudan's Red Sea Under Study

Sudanese army Chief of Staff Mohamed Othman al-Hussein  - AAWSAT AR
Sudanese army Chief of Staff Mohamed Othman al-Hussein - AAWSAT AR

Sudanese deputy Chief of Staff Mohamed Othman al-Hussein has affirmed that his country has not yet concluded any deal with Russia to establish a naval base on its Red Sea coast, however, he pointed out that the deal is under study.

Hussein’s remarks were the first by a senior Sudanese official following Russia’s statements on establishing a naval base in the region.

“The military bilateral cooperation is ongoing,” he stressed, adding that Russia and some eastern countries were providing Sudan with weapons during the embargo imposed by the US and the West.

He told Al-Arabiya TV channel that Sudan will not compromise its sovereignty, and the agreement with Russia is being studied.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his defense ministry on Monday to establish a logistical support center for Russia's navy in Sudan.

According to Russian reports, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the facility “meets the goals of maintaining peace and stability in the region and is defensive and not aimed against other countries.”

Putin’s order, which was posted on Russia's Official Internet Portal of Legal Information, is dated Nov. 16, 2020. Mishustin had approved a draft agreement regarding the base on Nov. 6.

The base facilities will reportedly be constructed near the Sudanese Navy's main base at Flamingo Bay, which is situated just north of Port Sudan, the country’s main port city on the Red Sea.

The draft agreement between Russia and Sudan on the naval logistics facility was submitted by Russia’s Defense Ministry, approved by the Foreign Ministry, the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Investigative Committee of Russia.

Ousted President Omar al-Bachir had asked Putin to provide him with protection in the face of US threats and to establish a military base on the Sudanese Red Sea coast during a visit to Russia.



Lebanon: Mikati Says Diplomatic Efforts 'Intensify' to Secure Ceasefire

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati speaks during a press conference in the presence of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt (not pictured), in Beirut, Lebanon October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati speaks during a press conference in the presence of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt (not pictured), in Beirut, Lebanon October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
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Lebanon: Mikati Says Diplomatic Efforts 'Intensify' to Secure Ceasefire

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati speaks during a press conference in the presence of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt (not pictured), in Beirut, Lebanon October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati speaks during a press conference in the presence of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt (not pictured), in Beirut, Lebanon October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday said that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to pressure Israel into halting its offensive on Lebanon.
He said that contacts have “intensified” in the past hours ahead of a session of the United Nations Security Council, aiming once again to achieve a ceasefire and increase pressure to stop the "Israeli aggression" on Lebanon.
He noted that “discussions are ongoing between the United States and France, which has requested the convening of the Security Council, with the goal of reviving a declaration for a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the resumption of talks on political solutions."
Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, the day after Hamas’ surprise attack into Israel ignited the war in Gaza. Hezbollah and Hamas are both allied with Iran, and Hezbollah says its attacks are aimed at aiding the Palestinians. Israel has carried out airstrikes in response and the conflict steadily escalated, erupting into a full-fledged war last month.
Israel has inflicted a punishing wave of blows against Hezbollah in recent weeks and says it will keep fighting until tens of thousands of displaced Israeli citizens can return to their homes in the north.
More than 1,300 people have been killed in Lebanon and over a million displaced since the fighting escalated in mid-September.