Media War Deepens Division Among Muslim Brotherhood’s Foreign Fronts

Muslim Brotherhood trial in Egypt (File photo: AFP)
Muslim Brotherhood trial in Egypt (File photo: AFP)
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Media War Deepens Division Among Muslim Brotherhood’s Foreign Fronts

Muslim Brotherhood trial in Egypt (File photo: AFP)
Muslim Brotherhood trial in Egypt (File photo: AFP)

Muslim Brotherhood of foreign fronts exchanged accusations after the conflict arose between the “Istanbul Front” led by former Sec-Gen Mahmoud Hussein and the “London Front” led by acting leader Ibrahim Munir.

The crisis heightened after the London Front formed a new Shura Council, dismissing six members of the Istanbul Shura, including Hussein himself.

The new council replaced the one in Istanbul. It was elected in the presence of officials residing in Turkey and affiliated with the Istanbul Front and several leaders living in European countries.

In response, the Istanbul Front issued a statement claiming that “Munir’s front weakens and divides the Brotherhood,” accusing it of using social media to publish false allegations and information.

The Brotherhood's Guidance Office in London recently ignited the dispute after it called upon the "Istanbul Front" to offer allegiance to Munir as the acting leader.

The Istanbul Shura Council formed the "Acting Committee of the General Shura" led by Mustafa Tolba and dismissed Munir from his position.

In response, the “London Front” dismissed Tolba, declaring in a statement that it “did not recognize the decisions of the Istanbul Front or the so-called General Shura Council.”

It asserted that “the organization’s legitimacy is represented by Munir only, and that any assignment to Tolba requires accountability,” adding that the committee in question is invalid.

Istanbul Front responded in a statement confirming its adherence to the General Shura Council of the organization in Istanbul, calling on all its members to “abide by the decisions of the Shura.”

It stressed that “Mustafa Tolba will remain in his position,” rejecting Munir’s decision to dismiss him.

Notably, Munir previously dissolved the Administrative Office for Organization Affairs in Turkey and dismissed Hussein and others for creating the crisis by announcing the "Hussein Group" more than once to dismiss the current leader.

Expert in the affairs of fundamentalist movements in Egypt, Ahmed Zaghloul said that the two fronts are in conflict now amid strong divisions, with each side claiming legitimacy.

Zaghloul told Asharq Al-Awsat that the only option for the Brotherhood abroad is to exchange accusations through statements to settle organizational issues and manage personal differences.

Muslim Brotherhood no longer has any political project, especially with its issues with several countries and losing all power and influence, stated Zaghloul, adding that both groups have no choice but to mobilize the media.

Zaghloul believes this would continue in the coming period, pointing out that “it has been going on for a while,” noting that the organization is now weak without any political project.



Kremlin Says It Wants Syria to Swiftly Restore Order after Opposition Attack

Fighters take over the district of Khan al-Assal following fierce fighting between Syrian government forces and opposition forces along with their Turkish-backed allies in the northern Syrian Aleppo province, on November 29, 2024. (Photo by Aaref WATAD / AFP)
Fighters take over the district of Khan al-Assal following fierce fighting between Syrian government forces and opposition forces along with their Turkish-backed allies in the northern Syrian Aleppo province, on November 29, 2024. (Photo by Aaref WATAD / AFP)
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Kremlin Says It Wants Syria to Swiftly Restore Order after Opposition Attack

Fighters take over the district of Khan al-Assal following fierce fighting between Syrian government forces and opposition forces along with their Turkish-backed allies in the northern Syrian Aleppo province, on November 29, 2024. (Photo by Aaref WATAD / AFP)
Fighters take over the district of Khan al-Assal following fierce fighting between Syrian government forces and opposition forces along with their Turkish-backed allies in the northern Syrian Aleppo province, on November 29, 2024. (Photo by Aaref WATAD / AFP)

The Kremlin said on Friday it wanted the Syrian government to restore constitutional order in the Aleppo region as soon as possible after an insurgent offensive there that captured territory for the first time in years.
Russia, a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, intervened militarily on Assad's side against insurgents in 2015 in its biggest foray in the Middle East since the Soviet Union's collapse, and maintains an airbase and naval facility in Syria.
Opposition led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group launched an incursion on Wednesday into a dozen towns and villages in the northwestern province of Aleppo, which is controlled by Assad's forces.
It was the first such territorial advance since March 2020 when Russia and Türkiye, which supports the opposition, agreed to a ceasefire that led to the halting of military action in Syria's last major opposition stronghold in the northwest.
Russian and Syrian warplanes bombed an opposition-held area near the border with Türkiye on Thursday to try to push back the insurgents, Syrian army and opposition sources said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow regarded the attack as a violation of Syria's sovereignty and wanted the authorities to act fast to regain control.
"As for the situation around Aleppo, it is an attack on Syrian sovereignty and we are in favor of the Syrian authorities bringing order to the area and restoring constitutional order as soon as possible," said Peskov.
Asked about unconfirmed Russian Telegram reports that Assad had flown into Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Peskov said he had "nothing to say" on the matter.