Arab States Condemn Terrorist Attack in Egypt’s Sinai

Armored vehicles for the Egyptian army in Sinai. (Archival Photo - AFP)
Armored vehicles for the Egyptian army in Sinai. (Archival Photo - AFP)
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Arab States Condemn Terrorist Attack in Egypt’s Sinai

Armored vehicles for the Egyptian army in Sinai. (Archival Photo - AFP)
Armored vehicles for the Egyptian army in Sinai. (Archival Photo - AFP)

Several Arab states have condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a water pumping plant west of Sinai in Egypt, leaving one officer and 10 Egyptian soldiers dead and five injured.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly denounced the attack, affirming the Kingdom’s full support for Egypt towards everything that threatens its security and stability, and its appreciation for the role of the Egyptian Armed Forces in confronting such terrorist and sabotage acts.

“The Kingdom extends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Egypt, and also wishes all the injured a speedy recovery,” it added.

The UAE also strongly denounced the attack. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation asserted its constant rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at threatening security and stability in contravention of humanitarian values and principles.

The Ministry affirmed its solidarity with Egypt in confronting terrorists and taking all necessary measures to maintain security and stability.

Bahrain slammed the “cowardly” terrorist attack. Its Foreign Ministry expressed sincere condolences to the Egyptian government, people, and families of the victims, wishing all those injured a speedy recovery.

It affirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with Egypt in its war against terrorism, and its full support for all the measures it takes in confronting extremist terrorist organizations and maintaining the country’s security, stability and the safety of its citizens and residents.

Kuwait and Qatar also condemned the attack.

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry confirmed its solidarity with Egypt and support to all the measures taken to maintain its security and stability and confront terrorism and extremism.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, for its part, reiterated the country’s firm stance in rejecting violence and terrorism.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Haitham Abu Al Foul said the Kingdom strongly denounces this “cowardly” terrorist attack, reiterating its support for Egypt’s anti-terrorism efforts.

The Palestinian Presidency also denounced the attack in Egypt.

“President Mahmoud Abbas extends his deepest condolences to his brother, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and to the families of the victims of this heinous crime, which targeted a group of heroes of the Egyptian army,” it stressed in a statement.

It further affirmed the Palestinian people and leadership’s solidarity with Egypt in its war against terrorism, wishing the country, its people and its army continued stability and prosperity.



Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
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Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)

Italy plans to send an ambassador back to Syria after a decade-long absence, the country’s foreign minister said, in a diplomatic move that could spark divisions among European Union allies.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in front of relevant parliamentary committees Thursday, announced Rome’s intention to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria to prevent Russia from monopolizing diplomatic efforts in the Middle Eastern country.

Moscow is considered a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has remained in power despite widespread Western isolation and civilian casualties since the start of Syria’s civil war in March 2011.

Peaceful protests against the Assad government — part of the so-called “Arab Spring” popular uprisings that spread across some of the Middle East — were met by a brutal crackdown, and the uprising quickly spiraled into a full-blown civil war.

The conflict was further complicated by the intervention of foreign forces on all sides and a rising militancy, first by al-Qaida-linked groups and then the ISIS group until its defeat on the battlefield in 2019.

The war, which has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million, is now largely frozen, despite ongoing low-level fighting.

The country is effectively carved up into areas controlled by the Damascus-based government of Assad, various opposition groups and Syrian Kurdish forces.

In the early days of the conflict, many Western and Arab countries cut off relations with Syria, including Italy, which has since managed Syria-related diplomacy through its embassy in Beirut.

However, since Assad has regained control over most of the territory, neighboring Arab countries have gradually restored relations, with the most symbolically significant move coming last year when Syria was re-admitted to the Arab League.

Tajani said Thursday the EU’s policy in Syria should be adapted to the “development of the situation,” adding that Italy has received support from Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Slovakia.

However, the US and allied countries in Europe have largely continued to hold firm in their stance against Assad’s government, due to concerns over human rights violations.