Egypt, Algeria Seek to Boost Political, Economic Cooperation

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt, Algeria Seek to Boost Political, Economic Cooperation

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat met with the Algerian ambassador in Cairo, Hameed Shbeira, ahead of the Joint Higher Committee meeting between the two countries.

The talks addressed the developments of cooperation in various fields, preparations for the Joint Higher Committee, and the results of previous sessions at the level of joint committees.

Mashat expressed Egypt's aspiration to advance bilateral relations in various fields taking advantage of the great economic potentials of both countries.

She stressed the keenness of both political leaderships to overcome any obstacle that might prevent economic integration.

Mashat asserted the importance of reactivating the role of the Joint Higher Committee, as its last session was held in 2014.

The statement reported that the Algerian ambassador reflected his country's desire to advance relations with Egypt in various areas.

Shbeira stressed that both leaders aim to push the relations forward, which will be reflected in the development efforts, indicating that Algeria also wants to resume the meetings of the Joint Higher Committee.

Earlier this week, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi received a written letter from his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune, delivered by the Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra.

Tebboune underlined Algeria's pride in its close and distinguished relations with Egypt at the official and popular levels.

In his letter, the President also stressed his county's interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation with Egypt in various fields.

Tebboune said he looks forward to further enhancing coordination and consultation with Sisi during the coming period to counter the various challenges facing the region and the Arab nation and reinforce joint Arab action.

The meeting tackled ways to foster closer bilateral relations, emphasizing the importance of holding the next session of the Joint Higher Committee at the level of the two countries prime ministers during the current year.

It also highlighted the importance of holding the next session of the political consultation mechanism at the level of the two foreign ministers.



Erdogan Hints at Operations Against Kurdish Forces and Major Steps to Support Damascus

Erdogan addresses a conference in the city of Bursa on December 28, 2024 (Turkish presidency)
Erdogan addresses a conference in the city of Bursa on December 28, 2024 (Turkish presidency)
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Erdogan Hints at Operations Against Kurdish Forces and Major Steps to Support Damascus

Erdogan addresses a conference in the city of Bursa on December 28, 2024 (Turkish presidency)
Erdogan addresses a conference in the city of Bursa on December 28, 2024 (Turkish presidency)

As intense clashes continue between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Türkiye-backed factions near the Tishrin Dam in eastern Aleppo, Tukrish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Ankara would take new measures to secure its southern borders, vowing to enhance security and eliminate “external terrorist threats.”

Erdogan emphasized Türkiye’s determination to ensure stability in the region surrounding its southern borders and to eradicate organizations threatening the security of its people and regional stability, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), its Syrian affiliate, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) (the main component of the SDF), and ISIS.

In a speech during the regional conference of the Justice and Development Party in Bursa in western Türkiye on Saturday, Erdogan highlighted his country’s role in assisting the Syrian people during the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has lasted for 13 years. He pointed out that Türkiye has hosted over 3 million Syrians who fled the civil war and affirmed its continued commitment to helping Syrians who wish to return to their homeland to ensure a safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation.

Meanwhile, intense clashes persisted Friday night and Saturday morning between the Türkiye-backed Syrian National Army factions and SDF forces, led by Kurdish units, near the Tishrin Dam in eastern Aleppo, close to the border town of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani).

The SDF reported ongoing battles on multiple fronts, stating that 17 members of the factions were killed, possibly including a commander, according to some reports. The SDF targeted sites belonging to the Syrian National Army near Tishrin Dam and Qara Qozak Bridge with rockets. In response, Turkish forces launched heavy artillery bombardments on the village of Aslanji, south of Ayn al-Arab, causing civilian injuries and significant material damage.

Additionally, Turkish artillery stationed in the “Peace Spring” area shelled several villages in the Abu Rasin countryside, extending to areas in rural Tal Tamr. Two members of Türkiye-backed factions were killed while the Raqqa Military Council, affiliated with the SDF, repelled an infiltration attempt in Umm al-Baramil village, east of Ayn Issa in Raqqa’s countryside.

On another front, Ankara has begun preparations to assist the newly-formed Syrian administration in Damascus, headed by Ahmad al-Sharaa. The support includes preparing official documents for Syrians, such as identity cards, passports, and driver’s licenses, upon the administration’s request.

According to the pro-government Turkish newspaper Türkiye, Erdogan has issued clear directives to all ministers to respond to the new Syrian administration’s needs in various fields. Turkish authorities are preparing to implement a system similar to the smart documents used in Türkiye, incorporating electronic chips, to meet the needs of Syrian citizens.

Statistics show a rise in the percentage of Syrians interested in returning to their country, increasing from 45% to 70%. Sources in the Turkish Ministry of Education revealed ongoing discussions about initiating various projects in Syria. These include restoring and constructing schools, training teachers and administrative staff, developing new curricula in line with scientific and technological advancements, and supporting economic development by establishing vocational schools. Additionally, efforts will focus on providing psychological and social support for families and children affected by the prolonged war.