Two Aid Planes Arrive in Damascus as Part of European Aid Bridge

One of the two planes sent by the European Union unloads the aid in Damascus. (Reuters)
One of the two planes sent by the European Union unloads the aid in Damascus. (Reuters)
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Two Aid Planes Arrive in Damascus as Part of European Aid Bridge

One of the two planes sent by the European Union unloads the aid in Damascus. (Reuters)
One of the two planes sent by the European Union unloads the aid in Damascus. (Reuters)

The European Commission announced Sunday the arrival of two planes with emergency aid in the Syrian capital Damascus as part of the humanitarian aid bridge to the regions impacted by the earthquake.

“The planes delivered much-needed relief items such as winterized tents, shelter equipment, and heaters,” said the Commission.

“These are the first such flights landing in Damascus, but they are part of a series of flights transporting assistance from the EU's own humanitarian stockpiles in Brindisi and Dubai to the Syrian people in both government-controlled and non-government-controlled areas.”

It went on to say that the EU has so far responded to the earthquake with €10 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria.

In Türkiye, more than 1,650 rescuers and 110 search dogs were deployed to support the search and rescue operations.

“While the rescue teams have de-mobilized, five medical teams from Albania, Belgium, France, Italy, and Spain are still operating on the ground and have treated more than 4,000 people so far.”

The Commission added that 20 EU Member States have also offered shelter items, medical equipment, food, and clothes.

“The EU has, thus far, allocated around €5.7 million for humanitarian assistance to help people affected by the earthquake in Türkiye.”

In the same context, a truck convoy from Pakistan carrying aid for quake victims arrived in Türkiye on Saturday, the Pakistani embassy said.

“As of now, 20 flights have brought relief assistance goods to Türkiye. A ship carrying earthquake relief goods is also scheduled to leave Pakistan for Türkiye soon,” it added.

The convoy was received by Pakistan's Deputy Ambassador Abbas Qureshi and other Turkish officials, according to Anadolu Agency.

“Pakistan and Türkiye have a glorious history of supporting each other under all circumstances,” Qureshi commented.



Sudan’s Burhan Rules Out Peace Before Defeating RSF

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
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Sudan’s Burhan Rules Out Peace Before Defeating RSF

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)

Sudan’s transitional Sovereign Council leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has pledged to press on with the war until the entire country is “liberated,” and vowed to eradicate what he called “the militia, their agents, and collaborators.”

He accused “colonial powers” of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with money, weapons, and mercenaries.

Speaking in Mauritania on Tuesday, Burhan said the fighting would not cease until “every inch desecrated by these criminals” is reclaimed.

He vowed to continue military operations until “all cities, villages, and rural areas in our beloved Sudan are freed,” according to a statement from the Sovereign Council’s media office.

Burhan said his country’s ties with domestic and foreign parties depend on their stance toward the ongoing war.

Burhan is on a tour of African nations, including Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Mauritania. Observers say the trip aims to restore Sudan’s African Union membership, suspended after the October 2021 coup, and rally support against the RSF.

Speaking in Mauritania, Burhan vowed to defeat the RSF, accusing them of crimes under the leadership of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, generally referred to as Hemedti, and called for unity to end his influence.

“Our message is on the battlefield, not through words, until these criminals are eliminated,” he said.

Burhan insisted peace is only possible if the RSF and their allies are removed. “We support peace, but only if these Janjaweed and their mercenaries no longer exist,” he stated.

He described the conflict as a “battle for dignity,” saying it is a fight to protect the honor and homes of Sudanese citizens.