Sudan, Russia Discuss Boosting Cooperation on Different Levels

The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Movin, and delegations in Moscow (SUNA)
The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Movin, and delegations in Moscow (SUNA)
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Sudan, Russia Discuss Boosting Cooperation on Different Levels

The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Movin, and delegations in Moscow (SUNA)
The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Movin, and delegations in Moscow (SUNA)

Russia and Sudan announced their intention to boost cooperation in various political and military fields.

Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemedti' Dagalo, met in Moscow with the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, General Alexander Movin, and discussed bilateral relations and ways to promote them.

The Sudanese News Agency said the two sides stressed the need to intensify cooperation and activate the ministerial committees. They called for holding bilateral meetings soon.

Hemedti praised the distinguished relations between the two countries and the coordination at all levels.

He pointed out that the great reception of the delegation and the meetings confirm Russia's interest in Khartoum, noting that Sudan has great potential, which can represent an excellent opportunity for Russian investments.

Movin lauded the distinguished historical friendship with Sudan, declaring a commitment to strengthening prospects for cooperation and increasing joint coordination.

He stressed that his country deals with Sudan following the principles of non-interference in countries' internal affairs.

Meanwhile, Sudanese mothers and fathers joined the protests led by the youth calling for the return of civilian rule.

Thousands of mothers and fathers, primarily elderly, marched in Khartoum and other cities in massive protests against the excessive violence used by the security services to suppress the popular movement.

They gathered in al-Siteen Street, east of Khartoum, under the slogan "We Support You" in support of the demonstrations led by young men and women for months against the measures announced by the army on October 25.

Families of the victims also participated in the protests, carrying the picture of their children killed by the security forces.

The protests were led by top leaders of the Forces of Freedom and Change alliance and other parties, notably the deputy head of the National Umma Party Sarah Naqdallah, the head of the Sudanese Congress Party Omar al-Digair, and the leader of the Communist Party, Mohammad Mukhtar al-Khatib, along with dozens of poets, writers, and artists.

Over 100 women's organizations and union bodies against the regime also joined the protests of the mothers and fathers.

The resistance committees in Khartoum are scheduled to announce Sunday the charter for establishing the people's authority to restore democracy.

The committees said in a press circular that the charter is proposed to establish the people's authority. They held extensive consultations and discussions to overcome the obstacles.

They delayed announcing the charter for further adjustments and revisions, aiming to publish it to the public in the best way possible.



Israeli Military Says Commandos Raided Missile Plant in Syria in September

People inspect a damaged area in the aftermath of what Syrian state media reported was an Israeli strike in Masyaf, Hama province, Syria September 9, 2024. (Reuters)
People inspect a damaged area in the aftermath of what Syrian state media reported was an Israeli strike in Masyaf, Hama province, Syria September 9, 2024. (Reuters)
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Israeli Military Says Commandos Raided Missile Plant in Syria in September

People inspect a damaged area in the aftermath of what Syrian state media reported was an Israeli strike in Masyaf, Hama province, Syria September 9, 2024. (Reuters)
People inspect a damaged area in the aftermath of what Syrian state media reported was an Israeli strike in Masyaf, Hama province, Syria September 9, 2024. (Reuters)

Israel's military said on Thursday its special forces had raided an underground missile production site in Syria in September that it said was primed to produce hundreds of precision missiles for use against Israel by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

The complex near Masyaf, close to the Mediterranean coast, was "the flagship of Iranian manufacturing efforts in our region", Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told a briefing with reporters.

"This facility was designed to manufacture hundreds of strategic missiles per year from start to finish, for Hezbollah to use in their aerial attacks on Israel."

He said the plant, dug into a mountainside, had been under observation by Israel since construction began in 2017 and was on the point of being able to manufacture precision-guided missiles, some with a range of up to 300 km (190 miles).

"This ability was becoming active, so we're talking about an immediate threat," he said.

Details of the Sept. 8 raid have been reported in Israeli media but Shoshani said this was the first confirmation by the military, which rarely comments on special forces operations.

At the time, Syrian state media said at least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the west of the country.

Shoshani said the nighttime raid was "one of the more complex operations the IDF has done in recent years". Accompanied by airstrikes, it involved dozens of aircraft and around 100 helicopter-borne troops, he said.

"At the end of the raid, the troops dismantled the facility, including the machines and the manufacturing equipment, themselves," he said.

The military released footage showing Israeli troops boarding and dismounting from helicopters and moving through what appears to be a concrete-lined tunnel and industrial site, where they examine documents.

Other footage showed senior commanders at a control center, apparently as the operation proceeds.

Israeli officials have accused the former Syrian government of president Bahar al-Assad of helping the Lebanese-based Hezbollah movement receive arms from Iran and say they are determined to stop the flow of weapons into Lebanon.

As Assad's government crumbled towards the end of last year, Israel launched a series of strikes against Syrian military infrastructure and weapons manufacturing sites to prevent them falling into the hands of enemies.