Türkiye Renews Call for Reconciliation in Syria

A photo distributed by the Turkish Interior Ministry of ISIS fighters who were arrested in the city of Al-Bab, Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A photo distributed by the Turkish Interior Ministry of ISIS fighters who were arrested in the city of Al-Bab, Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Türkiye Renews Call for Reconciliation in Syria

A photo distributed by the Turkish Interior Ministry of ISIS fighters who were arrested in the city of Al-Bab, Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A photo distributed by the Turkish Interior Ministry of ISIS fighters who were arrested in the city of Al-Bab, Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Türkiye has renewed its call for reconciliation between the regime in Damascus and opposition factions in Syria.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has reaffirmed his country’s support for Syria remaining unified and undivided. The top diplomat stressed the need for finding a political solution to the crisis in Syria and urged more communication between Damascus and opposition factions.

“Within the framework of the UN Security Council resolution, the regime and the opposition must agree on a roadmap including a constitution and then an election process,” Cavusoglu said, speaking to representatives of non-government organizations (NGOs) and businesspeople in southern Hatay province.

“Unity in Syria can only be achieved if the moderate opposition and the regime [Syrian authorities] agree on a roadmap,” he added.

Cavusoglu added that this is the only way to establish unity and cohesion in Syria, and this would also contribute to enabling displaced Syrians to return securely to their country.

“We will provide the necessary support for fair and transparent elections in Syria under the auspices of the UN,” noted the minister.

Cavusoglu pointed out that the Constitutional Committee, after nine rounds of talks, has not yet achieved any results.

“We will continue to work with the guarantor countries of the Astana process (Russia, Türkiye, and Iran) to achieve results in the upcoming rounds,” he said.

Addressing those who said they were disturbed by this proposal, he said, "Tell us if there is another solution. Do you accept that this civil war continues for another 50 years?"

Cavusoglu pointed out that Syria should not be allowed to "turn into a den of terrorism directed against Turkey," saying that Turkey is aware of the support provided by the West to separatist groups in Syria such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).



Dozens Die of Mysterious Illness in Besieged Sudan Town

FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo
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Dozens Die of Mysterious Illness in Besieged Sudan Town

FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo

At least 73 people have died of mysterious causes in the Sudanese town of al-Hilaliya, besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the Sudanese Doctors Union said late on Wednesday.
It is one of dozens of villages that have come under attack in eastern El Jezira state since the defection of a top RSF commander to the army, which prompted revenge attacks that have displaced more than 135,000 people.
The war between the two forces has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 11 million and plunging more into hunger while drawing in foreign powers and prompting fears of state collapse, Reuters said.
While high death tolls in other parts of Jezira came as a result of RSF shelling and gunfire, in Hilaliya people have fallen ill with diarrhea, overwhelming a local hospital according to the union and three people from the area.
A network blackout enforced by the RSF has made it difficult to determine the exact cause.
One man who spoke to Reuters said three of his family members had died of the same illness, but he only found out days later when others escaped to an area with internet access.
Those who wish to leave must pay high sums at RSF checkpoints, said another man.
According to pro-democracy activists, the siege began on Oct. 29 when the RSF raided the town, killing five and surrounding residents inside three mosques.
Hilaliya is home to the family of defected commander Abuagla Keikal, which locals say may explain the siege of a previously stable trade hub that had housed 50,000 people, including many displaced from other areas.
The town's markets and warehouses were looted, witnesses said.
Satellite imagery from a Yale Humanitarian Lab report showed rapid increase in cemeteries in several Jezira towns since the latest revenge attacks began in late October. It also showed evidence of the burning of agricultural fields in the village of Azrag.