Sudan Pursues Bashir’s Intelligence Chief through Interpol

Former head of the dissolved National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh
Former head of the dissolved National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh
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Sudan Pursues Bashir’s Intelligence Chief through Interpol

Former head of the dissolved National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh
Former head of the dissolved National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh

Sudan has resorted to Interpol to pursue former head of intelligence in ousted president Omar al-Bashir’s regime.

Former head of the dissolved National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh is accused of plotting terrorist attacks aimed at undermining the constitutional system in the country.

Investigations have implicated him in forming a terrorist cell that was arrested ahead of the attacks that were planned for May 2019.

A trial will kick off in Khartoum on Sunday for members of the cell. They have been identified as former members of the so-called People’s Security Service (PSS) and security officials from Bashir’s dissolved ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

The prosecution had announced that 24 suspects were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the plot and for seeking to violently oppose the authorities.

Interpol had in February agreed to Sudan’s request to apprehend Gosh, who is on the run in a neighboring country.

Gosh is viewed as the founder of Bashir’s notorious security agency that has been complicit in the murder of peaceful protesters in rallies that led to the ouster of the longtime president in April 2019.

Sources from the general prosecution told Asharq Al-Awsat that investigations have shown that Gosh was the main plotter of the terrorist attacks. He was involved in financing the cell and providing it with logistic support.

Weapons, explosives and modern communication equipment were seized from the cell.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said the suspects confessed that Gosh would have assumed a “major” position in the country had the operation been a success and the new transitional authority ousted.



Germany’s Merz Announces Gaza Aid Airlift, Mulls Upping Ante on Israel

 28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)
28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)
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Germany’s Merz Announces Gaza Aid Airlift, Mulls Upping Ante on Israel

 28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)
28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)

Germany will immediately launch an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza as it considers stepping up pressure on Israel over the "catastrophic" situation in the enclave, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday.

As the death toll from almost two years of war in Gaza nears 60,000, a growing number of people are dying from starvation and malnutrition, Gaza health authorities say, with images of starving children shocking the world and fueling international criticism of Israel over sharply worsening conditions.

Germany, together with the United States, has long remained one of Israel's staunchest allies and largest arms suppliers.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday many people were starving in the enclave, contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who denied there was starvation there.

The German security cabinet convened for more than two hours on Monday to discuss the situation, Merz told a news conference in Berlin. While it welcomed Israel's announcement of a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza as an "important first step", it agreed more must follow.

Asked if the council discussed sanctions like suspending the EU pact governing relations with Israel, a move Germany has in the past rejected, Merz said the council had discussed what options were available.

"We are keeping such steps on the table," he said.

Before making any decisions, however, he would try to speak with Netanyahu later on Monday and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul would travel to the region on Thursday, possibly together with his British and French counterparts. The German government would then reassess the situation over the weekend.

In the meantime, Berlin would do what it could to help alleviate the humanitarian situation, launching an airlift in cooperation with Jordan to deliver aid into Gaza.

"Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will closely coordinate with France and the UK, who are also willing to provide such an airlift for food and medical supplies," he said.

"We know that this can only provide very limited help for the people in Gaza, but it is nonetheless a contribution we are eager to make."

Germany would also prepare for a Gaza reconstruction conference in coordination with regional partners, Britain and France, he said. "No further expulsions from the Gaza Strip must occur."

German officials say their approach to Israel is governed by a special responsibility, known as the Staatsraison, arising from the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust.

They have long believed they can achieve more through diplomatic back channels than public statements. But Merz has come under growing pressure in recent weeks, including from within his own coalition, to take a firmer stance on Israel, and faced broad criticism for failing to join a statement last week by dozens of Western nations condemning the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians.