Sudan's Burhan Visits Troops Near Border with Ethiopia

Sudanese army soldiers in the capital Khartoum on August 31, 2019. (Getty Images)
Sudanese army soldiers in the capital Khartoum on August 31, 2019. (Getty Images)
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Sudan's Burhan Visits Troops Near Border with Ethiopia

Sudanese army soldiers in the capital Khartoum on August 31, 2019. (Getty Images)
Sudanese army soldiers in the capital Khartoum on August 31, 2019. (Getty Images)

Sudan’s military head Gen Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Monday traveled to the disputed border region of Al-Fashaqa after around three days of an attack launched by Ethiopian forces that killed and injured several Sudanese soldiers.

The official news agency, SUNA, reported that Al-Burhan arrived in the Barakat Noreen area on the western bank of the Atbara River, accompanied by several officials and soldiers.

Al-Burhan inspected the forces stationed on the border.

According to SUNA, the visit aims to support the forces deployed near borders following the attack by Ethiopian forces.

Meanwhile, press reports said both the director of intelligence and military leaders accompanied Al-Burhan on the visit.

Press reports circulated information about fierce battles erupting last Saturday.

About 27 were killed from the Sudanese side, and more than 30 were wounded, including officers.

Heavy artillery was used as battles lasted for several hours, killing many Ethiopians.

Meanwhile, the independent Sudan Tribune newspaper reported that the Sudanese-Ethiopian border has witnessed significant military build-up from both countries.

Quoting sources, it said Ethiopia continues to mobilize troops and militias backed by Eritrean forces in preparation for launching new attacks on Sudan.

This, according to the sources, aims to block the way for Sudanese farmers working on the corn and cotton harvest.

The office of the spokesman for the Sudanese Armed Forces confirmed the attack by Ethiopian troops and militias

SUNA reported that Sudanese forces were present in the area to protect farmers during the harvest season.

The decades-old conflict with Ethiopia is centered on vast tracts of agricultural land, located within the borders of Sudan.

The two countries held rounds of talks, most recently in Khartoum last December, to settle the dispute, but they did not make any progress.



US to Ease Aid Restrictions for Syria While Keeping Sanctions in Place, Sources Say

Graffiti of the Syrian revolution flag is painted on a mosaic of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria January 2, 2025. (Reuters)
Graffiti of the Syrian revolution flag is painted on a mosaic of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria January 2, 2025. (Reuters)
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US to Ease Aid Restrictions for Syria While Keeping Sanctions in Place, Sources Say

Graffiti of the Syrian revolution flag is painted on a mosaic of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria January 2, 2025. (Reuters)
Graffiti of the Syrian revolution flag is painted on a mosaic of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria January 2, 2025. (Reuters)

The US is set to imminently announce an easing of restrictions on providing humanitarian aid and other basic services such as electricity to Syria while still keeping its strict sanctions regime in place, according to people briefed on the matter.
The decision by the outgoing Biden administration will send a signal of goodwill to Syria's new rulers and aims to pave the way for improving tough living conditions in the war-ravaged country while also treading cautiously and keeping US leverage in place.
US officials have met several times with members of the ruling administration, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, since the dramatic end on Dec. 8 of more than 50 years of Assad family rule after a lightning offensive by opposition factions.
HTS, the faction that led the advance, has long-since renounced its former Al Qaeda ties and fought the group but they remain designated a terrorist entity by the US and Washington wants to see them cooperate on priorities such as counterterrorism and forming a government inclusive of all Syrians.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration approved the easing of restrictions over the weekend, saying the move authorizes the Treasury Department to issue waivers to aid groups and companies providing essentials such as water, electricity and other humanitarian supplies.