Egypt’s Sisi, CIA Director Discuss Ethiopian Dam Crisis

Sisi meets the CIA chief in Cairo. (Egyptian Presidency spokesman)
Sisi meets the CIA chief in Cairo. (Egyptian Presidency spokesman)
TT

Egypt’s Sisi, CIA Director Discuss Ethiopian Dam Crisis

Sisi meets the CIA chief in Cairo. (Egyptian Presidency spokesman)
Sisi meets the CIA chief in Cairo. (Egyptian Presidency spokesman)

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed his country’s interest in boosting cooperation with the US in various fields, namely on the security and intelligence levels in light of the growing threat of terrorism and extremism.

He made his remarks during a meeting with the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency William Burns, in Cairo on Sunday.

Developments in Afghanistan and the Palestinian cause, the dispute caused by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), and the crisis in Libya were tackled during the meeting, according to spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency Bassam Rady.

Burns expressed his country’s pride in the constructive cooperation and inextricable relations with Egypt, Rady added.

He stressed Washington’s keenness on the continued coordination with Egypt regarding various challenges, especially in light of developments in the Middle East, the Eastern Mediterranean and Africa.

Separately, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aty ordered the continuation of work on the national project to rehabilitate canals and transform them into modern irrigation projects.

The minister said the modern irrigation project aims to shift 3.7 million feddans of lands to modern irrigation over three years.

So far, up to 393,000 feddans have adopted the new system.



Sudanese Army Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Darfur

Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)
Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)
TT

Sudanese Army Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Darfur

Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)
Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)

More than 60 people have been killed and over 250 injured in airstrikes by the Sudanese military on the town of Kouma in North Darfur. This incident is being described by observers as one of the “largest massacres” of civilians since the conflict began.

Dozens more have died in separate attacks targeting the areas of Meilit, Wad Abu Saleh, and Um Duwain in Khartoum, with increasing calls for a ban on military flights by the Sudanese army.

Witnesses told Asharq Al-Awsat that the military targeted Kouma’s market on Friday morning, dropping explosive barrels that caused widespread destruction. Many victims were shopping at the bustling “Friday market,” and the death toll is expected to rise due to a lack of medical care for the injured.

The attacks are viewed as deliberate assaults on civilians, particularly since there were no Rapid Support Forces (RSF) present in the crowded market. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with bodies scattered throughout the area.

In Meilit, airstrikes also targeted a wedding celebration, killing about 13 people and injuring others. Activists and eyewitnesses deny the presence of the RSF in these locations, despite military claims that air operations are directed at them.

Political and human rights groups have condemned the escalating airstrikes and called for an immediate ban on military flights in Darfur.

The Civil Democratic Forces Coordination (Tagadum) stated that the Kouma market attack was a severe violation against civilians, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

The group expressed concern about ongoing violations against civilians in Sudan and highlighted the need for international attention to protect innocent lives. They urged the warring parties to cease hostilities and engage in negotiations to end the conflict.