Egypt FM Reiterates Support for Morocco’s Territorial Integrity

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt July 27, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt July 27, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
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Egypt FM Reiterates Support for Morocco’s Territorial Integrity

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt July 27, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt July 27, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has reiterated his country’s firm support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and serious efforts to resolve the Western Sahara region’s dispute.

Shoukry and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita held talks via videoconference on Thursday, during which they discussed bilateral relations and developments in regional issues of common interest.

Both ministers stressed the importance of bolstering the economic and investment relations to serve their people’s interests.

They pointed to the two countries’ ability to improve cooperation in various fields, given their strategic location, economic capabilities and human competencies.

They further expressed hope the health conditions in light of the coronavirus pandemic would improve to set a date for the fourth round of the Coordination and Political Consultation Mechanism in Cairo, as soon as possible.

This mechanism is institutional and enables the two countries to exchange visions and enhance coordination on various regional issues.

The FMs also agreed that the situation in the Arab world requires intensifying bilateral consultation and coordination, stressing the reinforcement of solidarity to address the complex challenges faced by the region’s states.

Bourita and Shoukry also stressed their countries’ adherence to the security and stability of the Arab region, their rejection of foreign interventions in its affairs and the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Talks also tackled the Palestinian cause, and Shoukry hailed the efforts of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of al-Quds Committee, in defending the Holy City as a land for coexistence among divine religions.

In addition, they discussed the situation in Libya and stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive settlement that ensures the country’s security, stability and the prosperity of its people.



US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
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US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on what it said was a Houthi-linked petroleum smuggling and sanctions evasion network across Yemen and the United Arab Emirates in fresh action targeting the Iran-backed militant group.

The US Treasury Department in a statement said the two individuals and five entities sanctioned on Tuesday were among the most significant importers of petroleum products and money launderers that benefit the Houthis.

"The Houthis collaborate with opportunistic businessmen to reap enormous profits from the importation of petroleum products and to enable the group’s access to the international financial system," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender.

"These networks of shady businesses underpin the Houthis’ terrorist machine, and Treasury will use all tools at its disposal to disrupt these schemes."

Among those targeted on Tuesday was Muhammad Al-Sunaydar, who the Treasury said manages a network of petroleum companies between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates and was one of the most prominent petroleum importers in Yemen.

Three companies in his network were also designated, with the Treasury saying they coordinated the delivery of approximately $12 million dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum products with a US-designated company to the Houthis.

Since Israel's war in Gaza against the Palestinian group Hamas began in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

In January, Trump re-designated the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization, aiming to impose harsher economic penalties in response to its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against US warships defending the critical maritime area.

In May, the United States announced a surprise deal with the Houthis where it agreed to stop a bombing campaign against them in return for an end to shipping attacks, though the Houthis said the deal did not include sparing Israel.

The Israeli military attacked Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeidah port on Monday in its latest assault on the militants, who have been striking ships bound for Israel and launching missiles against it.