Egypt, Tajikistan Agree to Boost Cooperation, Combat Terrorism

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt, Tajikistan Agree to Boost Cooperation, Combat Terrorism

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon agreed to enhance security cooperation, especially in fighting terrorism.

This came during their meeting at the al-Ittihadiya Palace on Thursday.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed cooperation in training and technical support programs that Egypt provides to Tajik cadres.

Sisi stressed Egypt's interest in developing bilateral relations and exchanging experience with Tajikistan in various fields to achieve the common interest of both countries, and the Tajik President expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and hospitality.

He stressed his country's pride in the distinguished bilateral relations with Egypt and Tajikistan's interest in benefiting from the mega-national projects and the pioneering development experience that Egypt is witnessing, which enhances its position as a pillar of security and stability at the regional level.

Egyptian Presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said the presidents discussed recent regional and international developments, especially in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

They addressed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination in security and intelligence and the exchange of information and expertise, especially concerning combating terrorism, extremist ideology, and organized crime.

After the talks, the Tajik President invited Sisi to visit his country, which the latter welcomed.

The two presidents witnessed the signing ceremony of several memoranda of understanding (MoU) and cooperation agreements between the two countries in agriculture, youth and sports, and higher education.

The Governorate of South Sinai and the Khatlon region in Tajikistan signed an agreement of friendship and cooperation, and the National Library and Archives and the National Library of Tajikistan signed an MoU.

During a joint press conference, Sisi announced that he agreed with Rahmon to step up coordination in security and concerning sharing information and expertise between the two countries to combat terrorism and organized crime as a global menace that threatens most world countries.

"We have also agreed to examine the possibility of enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of irrigation development and concerning making greater use of water resources, hydropower, mining, agriculture, tourism, health, and pharmaceutical manufacturing," said the President.

Sisi expressed his appreciation for the commitment of the Tajik President to cultivate closer bilateral cooperation between the two countries across an array of fields.

"I would also like to confirm that we value the profound relations between Egypt and Tajikistan, which have been growing over the past years, and underscore the importance of working toward activating the ongoing frameworks of cooperation to be commensurate with the two countries' capabilities and potential, to achieve the interests of the two peoples."

The Egyptian leader announced that they discussed ways to promote consultation between the two countries' foreign ministries and agreed to follow up on implementing the positive results of the second session of the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, which was held in Cairo in November 2019.

They also discussed Egypt's hosting and presidency of the 27th session of the UN Climate Change Conference in November 2022 (UNFCCC COP 27).

"We stressed our keenness to mobilize the efforts of the international community to make it a success to make a real breakthrough in global climate action," said Sisi.

The Tajik President said the agreements signed would provide a basis for boosting relations between the two countries in all fields.

He indicated that the meeting addressed important issues of bilateral and multilateral relations between Egypt and Tajikistan.



EU Exploring Support for New Gaza Administration Committee, Document Says

Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
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EU Exploring Support for New Gaza Administration Committee, Document Says

Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

The European Union is exploring possible support for a new committee established to take over the civil administration of Gaza, according to a document produced by the bloc's diplomatic arm and seen by Reuters.

"The EU is engaging with the newly established transitional governance structures for Gaza," the European External Action Service wrote in a document circulated to member states on Tuesday.

"The EU is also exploring possible support to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza," it added.

European foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Gaza during a meeting in Brussels on February 23.


Israel Military Says Soldier Killed in Gaza 

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israel Military Says Soldier Killed in Gaza 

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)

The Israeli military announced that one of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Gaza on Wednesday, but a security source said the death appeared to have been caused by "friendly fire".

"Staff Sergeant Ofri Yafe, aged 21, from HaYogev, a soldier in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement.

A security source, however, told AFP that the soldier appeared to have been "killed by friendly fire", without providing further details.

"The incident is still under investigation," the source added.

The death brings to five the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since a ceasefire took effect on October 10.


Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
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Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, said the process of merging the SDF with Syrian government forces “may take some time,” despite expressing confidence in the eventual success of the agreement.

His remarks came after earlier comments in which he acknowledged differences with Damascus over the concept of “decentralization.”

Speaking at a tribal conference in the northeastern city of Hasakah on Tuesday, Abdi said the issue of integration would not be resolved quickly, but stressed that the agreement remains on track.

He said the deal reached last month stipulates that three Syrian army brigades will be created out of the SDF.

Abdi added that all SDF military units have withdrawn to their barracks in an effort to preserve stability and continue implementing the announced integration agreement with the Syrian state.

He also emphasized the need for armed forces to withdraw from the vicinity of the city of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), to be replaced by security forces tasked with maintaining order.