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Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan Congratulates Taliban on Afghanistan Takeover

Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul. (AP)
Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul. (AP)
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Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan Congratulates Taliban on Afghanistan Takeover

Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul. (AP)
Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul. (AP)

Sudan’s Popular Congress Party congratulated the Taliban for their takeover of Afghanistan.

The Congress was founded by Hassan al-Turabi, the leader of Islamists in Sudan. The Congress, which is the Muslim Brotherhood’s wing in Sudan, became the first party in the country declare open support to the extremist Taliban.

Facebook soon removed the congratulatory post and suspended the party’s account in line with regulations that bar support to the Taliban on its platform.

Before it was removed, the post had congratulated the Taliban for taking over Kabul, saying it was a “victory” for the people of Afghanistan as they seek “freedom” from and defeat against occupying powers.

The victory was achieved after a long conflict that demonstrated to the world that the people of Afghanistan will not be defeated by material or human might no matter how powerful it may be, continued the post.

It described the Taliban takeover as a “historic victory”, declaring the Congress’ support to the Taliban’s vision of how to rule Afghanistan.

Turabi established the Congress in 1999 after a split with the ruling National Congress Party of ousted President Omar al-Bashir. Bashir and Turabi's parties would lead a rivalry for years to come until the president’s ouster in 2019.

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Arab World

Jordan Shoots Down 4 Rockets Fired by Iran as Sirens Sound in Bahrain

A view of Amman, Jordan. (Petra file)
A view of Amman, Jordan. (Petra file)
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Jordan Shoots Down 4 Rockets Fired by Iran as Sirens Sound in Bahrain

A view of Amman, Jordan. (Petra file)
A view of Amman, Jordan. (Petra file)

The Jordanian military announced on Tuesday that air defenses shot down four rockets fired from Iran. No injuries or material damage was reported.

Iran has intensified its attacks on US allies in the region in retaliation to the latest American strikes against it.

Meanwhile, sirens sounded in Bahrain three times as Iran targeted the country.

In Jordan, an official military source said the armed forces intercepted and downed four missiles that had entered the kingdom’s airspace at dawn, saying they were fired by Iran.

The interception was carried out with high efficiency in line with procedures to protect the kingdom's sovereignty and security and safety of its people.

The source stressed that any attempt to violate the kingdom’s sovereignty or its airspace will be met with “complete firmness within the reliable rules of engagement” to safeguard the national interest.

“The armed forces will not be lenient in taking all necessary measures to protect the nation and defend its security and stability,” it declared.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said it targeted a “US air base” in Jordan with ballistic missiles.

Jordan had last Thursday intercepted eight rockets fired by Iran. The IRGC also claimed the attack was targeting an American military base.

Jordan has repeatedly said it does not host foreign bases on its territories. Any foreign troops in the country are deployed at Jordanian bases as part of joint agreements and training programs.

In April, Jordan said it had been targeted by 281 rockets and drones fired by Iran during the US-Israel war against Tehran that started on February 28. It said that it had intercepted 261 of the attacks, which had resulted in 30 injuries.

Arab World

Al-Hijri Renews Call for Sweida’s ‘Independence’ from Syria

Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, flanked by supporters from the so-called National Guard. (Suwayda24)
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, flanked by supporters from the so-called National Guard. (Suwayda24)
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Al-Hijri Renews Call for Sweida’s ‘Independence’ from Syria

Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, flanked by supporters from the so-called National Guard. (Suwayda24)
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, flanked by supporters from the so-called National Guard. (Suwayda24)

The spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze community, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, renewed calls Monday for what he described as Sweida’s “independence,” saying the southern province could eventually become “an autonomous entity under another state’s protection or join another state.”

His remarks coincided with the first anniversary of the July 2025 clashes in Sweida.

A local source in Sweida opposed to al-Hijri’s policies rejected the proposal, telling Asharq Al-Awsat that residents “have no state but Syria, despite the country’s current hardships.”

The source added that neither Israel nor Jordan supports such a move, noting that Israeli officials have publicly stated they do not back Sweida’s secession and that “the overwhelming majority of residents will not abandon their Syrian identity.”

Areas under al-Hijri’s influence have hosted gatherings in recent days to commemorate last July’s clashes, which killed hundreds of Bedouin residents, Druze faction fighters, civilians, and members of the army and security forces.

The source said the events reflected widespread grief, as most families had suffered deaths, injuries, or displacement, stressing that the commemorations were intended to honor the victims rather than press for secession.

On Sunday, al-Hijri met representatives of the Shahba Operations Room, affiliated with the so-called National Guard, in the town of Qanawat.

In widely circulated video footage, he said the goal was “the independence of Bashan State,” adding that this could take the form of an independent state, a region under another country’s protection, or union with another state, “whichever best serves the interests of the people of the region.”

He also thanked Israel, saying it had stood by Sweida and citing its geographic proximity.

The Sweida Governorate issued a statement marking the anniversary, describing the July events as a tragedy that left lasting scars on the province and on Syrians as a whole.

Maysaa al-Abdallah, a resident of Sweida, told Asharq Al-Awsat that many families remain displaced a year later, with 135 people still missing and civilians still detained at Adra Prison near Damascus.

She also said that, of roughly 14,000 middle- and high-school students eligible to sit for national exams, only a very small number had been able to do so.

While most residents still identify as Syrian and Arab, she argued that “government policies are pushing many to reject that identity.”

Arab World

EU Announces Restrictions on Trading Sudanese Gold

An artisanal miner operates an ore-processing machine used to separate gold-bearing material at a mining site in Dalago Mahas, Sudan’s Northern State, Thursday, May 7, 2026.(AP Photo/Mohnd Blal)
An artisanal miner operates an ore-processing machine used to separate gold-bearing material at a mining site in Dalago Mahas, Sudan’s Northern State, Thursday, May 7, 2026.(AP Photo/Mohnd Blal)
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EU Announces Restrictions on Trading Sudanese Gold

An artisanal miner operates an ore-processing machine used to separate gold-bearing material at a mining site in Dalago Mahas, Sudan’s Northern State, Thursday, May 7, 2026.(AP Photo/Mohnd Blal)
An artisanal miner operates an ore-processing machine used to separate gold-bearing material at a mining site in Dalago Mahas, Sudan’s Northern State, Thursday, May 7, 2026.(AP Photo/Mohnd Blal)

The European Union announced on Monday new sanctions against Sudan by targeting the country's gold trade, which it said was being used ‌to finance ‌the military conflict ‌in ⁠the country, reported Reuters.

"The decision ⁠introduces a ban on the purchase, import or transfer of gold originating ⁠in Sudan. It ‌also ‌bans the sale, supply, ‌transfer or export ‌of mercury and cyanide to Sudan," said a statement by the ‌Council of the European Union.

The ⁠conflict ⁠between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began more than three years ago, and it has caused a vast humanitarian crisis.