Sudanese Opposition Describes Burhan’s Speech as ‘Positive’

Head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan delivers a speech at the conclusion of a military training at Almaaqil area in the River Nile State. (Getty Images)
Head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan delivers a speech at the conclusion of a military training at Almaaqil area in the River Nile State. (Getty Images)
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Sudanese Opposition Describes Burhan’s Speech as ‘Positive’

Head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan delivers a speech at the conclusion of a military training at Almaaqil area in the River Nile State. (Getty Images)
Head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan delivers a speech at the conclusion of a military training at Almaaqil area in the River Nile State. (Getty Images)

A leader in Sudan's opposition Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition has described a speech delivered by head of the Sovereign Transitional Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan earlier this week as a “positive step” that paves the way for an inclusive political process.

Burhan’s speech has sparked a debate. Some political groups considered it a step toward resolving the political crisis, while others saw it as a tactic to cause political confusion.

Secretary-General of the National Umma Party Al-Wathiq al-Barir told Asharq Al-Awsat that the opposition forces hope Burhan takes actual steps that would pave the way for a credible transitional government accepted by the Sudanese people.

He affirmed the forces' adherence to the return to the civilian transitional rule.

Speaking to soldiers at an army base north of Khartoum on Sunday, Burhan confirmed that talks on a new political framework for the country were ongoing.

He slammed the regime of ousted President Omar al-Bashir and warned it in harsh words not to interfere with the military or in politics.

“We will join hands with anyone who wants to rescue this country,” he said, adding that he would not agree to anything that leads to the breakup of the military.

Burhan denied that the army supported Bashir's National Congress Party.

“We warn those that want to hide behind the army, and specifically the National Congress Party and the Islamist Movement,” he said.

Former member of the 1989 Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation Brigadier General Salaheddine Karrar said Burhan’s speech sent a strong message that Sudan’s Islamist Movement and the dissolved National Congress Party have no future in ruling Sudan.

He added in an audio recording that the next settlement will be fully arranged by the US administration, noting that the Islamists and the far-left, represented by the Communist Party and the Arab parties, will be excluded.

Meanwhile, the tripartite mechanism - the United Nations, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development - continued consultations with political forces other than the FFC.

The tripartite mechanism convened with the Democratic Unionist Party, the National Congress Party and the Sudanese Professionals Association.

The Association backed the tripartite mechanism’s efforts, stressed that the remnants of the former regime shouldn’t take part in the transitional period, highlighted the necessity of reforming the security and military, and insisted on resisting impunity.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the tripartite mechanism is holding final consultations after reviewing the comments of the army commanders on the draft constitution, drawn up by the Sudanese Bar Association.



Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.