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US to Sudan's Warring Parties: Ceasefire or Sanctions

Smoke rises over buildings during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan (Reuters)
Smoke rises over buildings during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan (Reuters)
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US to Sudan's Warring Parties: Ceasefire or Sanctions

Smoke rises over buildings during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan (Reuters)
Smoke rises over buildings during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan (Reuters)

US State Secretary Antony Blinken has warned the Sudanese army, led by Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) headed by Lt. Gen. Mohammad "Hemedti" Dagalo, of sanctions if they do not commit to the ceasefire announced after the Jeddah talks.

Blinken also announced Tuesday that the US is proud to provide $245 million in humanitarian assistance to support refugees, displaced persons, and host communities in Sudan and neighboring countries.

In a video message posted on the social media accounts of the US embassy in Khartoum, Blinken described the violence between the army and RSF as "tragic, senseless, and devastating."

He indicated that the ceasefire was designed to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance and repair of essential services and infrastructure.

In his message to the Sudanese, the top official explained that the ceasefire deal includes, for the first time, a remote mechanism involving Saudi Arabia and the United States to monitor the ceasefire.

The 12-member mechanism includes three representatives of each warring party, three from the US and three from Saudi Arabia.

"If the ceasefire is violated, we'll know, and we will hold violators accountable through our sanctions and other tools at our disposal," said Blinken.

Observers believe Blinken's reference to "other tools" could mean imposing an embargo over Sudan.

"We facilitated the ceasefire, but it's the responsibility of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to implement it."

He indicated that the Jeddah talks on Sudan have had a narrow focus on "ending violence and bringing assistance to the Sudanese people."

"A permanent resolution of this conflict will require much more."

He asserted that Sudan's civilians must be the ones to "define the path going forward."

"You should lead a political process to restore Sudan's democratic transition and form a civilian government," Blinken said, addressing the Sudanese.

He reiterated Washington's support for a democratic government that supports the full diversity of the Sudanese people.

Under the agreement, the army and the RSF agreed to stop hostilities, looting civilian properties and humanitarian supplies and seizing civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, power plants, water pumps, and fuel stations.

Aid workers and civilians have reported widespread looting in Khartoum and elsewhere and a dire lack of basic services, medical care, food, and water.

The Doctors' Syndicate has also said that the RSF has seized hospitals. Allegations of sexual violence against women, including rape and gang rape in Khartoum and the restive western Darfur region, have also been reported.

In a separate statement, Blinken announced that last week the US announced $245 million in additional support to the people of Sudan and neighboring countries experiencing the impacts of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The funds include nearly $143 million from the Department of State's Bureau for Population, Refugee, and Migration and $103 million in additional humanitarian assistance from the US Agency for International Development's (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

With this funding, our humanitarian partners can respond to the new needs arising from the current conflict, which has displaced approximately 840,000 people within the country and forced another 250,000 to flee since April 15.

The announcement brings total US humanitarian assistance for Sudan and neighbors Chad, Egypt, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic to nearly $880 million in FY 2023.

“The United States is by far the largest single donor to humanitarian needs in the Horn of Africa, and we will continue to work with international and local partners to provide food, water, medical care, and other lifesaving assistance for internally displaced persons, refugees, and others in dire need due to conflict,” Blinken said.

Sudan descended into chaos after clashes erupted between the Sudanese army and the RSF last month. The fighting killed hundreds of civilians and injured thousands of others, while one million fled their homes.

The fighting continued despite US and Saudi-mediated talks between the two parties. A new 7-day truce was announced last week and took effect Monday night.

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Arab World

Syria Affirms Deep Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Ambassador to Damascus Dr. Faisal Al-Mujfel visits the Kingdom’s pavilion, guest of honor at the Damascus International Book Fair (Saudi Embassy account). 
Saudi Ambassador to Damascus Dr. Faisal Al-Mujfel visits the Kingdom’s pavilion, guest of honor at the Damascus International Book Fair (Saudi Embassy account). 
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Syria Affirms Deep Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Ambassador to Damascus Dr. Faisal Al-Mujfel visits the Kingdom’s pavilion, guest of honor at the Damascus International Book Fair (Saudi Embassy account). 
Saudi Ambassador to Damascus Dr. Faisal Al-Mujfel visits the Kingdom’s pavilion, guest of honor at the Damascus International Book Fair (Saudi Embassy account). 

Syria has reaffirmed the strength of its relations with Saudi Arabia during a visit by the Saudi ambassador to Damascus, Dr. Faisal Al-Mujfel, to the Saudi pavilion, guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair.

Saudi Arabia’s participation in the fair, held from Feb. 6-16, is led by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission.

At the start of the visit, Al-Mujfel met Syria’s Minister of Culture, Mohammad Yassin Saleh, who welcomed the Kingdom’s designation as guest of honor as a clear affirmation of the depth of Saudi-Syrian cultural relations, based on partnership and mutual respect.

Saleh praised Saudi Arabia’s cultural efforts and commended the pavilion for showcasing activities that reflect the richness and diversity of Saudi cultural heritage.

He noted that the Saudi program highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting culture and literature at both the Arab and international levels. The pavilion features a wide range of events, including seminars and poetry evenings, with the participation of leading Saudi writers and intellectuals.

During a guided tour, the Saudi ambassador was briefed on the creative diversity presented at the pavilion. Exhibits include a collection of manuscripts, a section dedicated to traditional Saudi attire, displays of archaeological replicas, and a selection of publications issued by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission.

Among the featured works are titles from the “Translate” initiative, the “Saudi Literature Comics” series, and short story collections from Saudi authors, offering visitors insight into the Kingdom’s contemporary literary scene.

The commission is overseeing Saudi Arabia’s participation as guest of honor at the 2026 book fair, presenting what it described as a vibrant cultural experience that celebrates Saudi creativity and promotes dialogue through books.

The program aligns with the Kingdom’s National Culture Strategy under Vision 2030, which emphasizes cultural exchange, knowledge sharing, and constructive dialogue among nations, while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role in the Arab and global cultural landscape.

The visit was attended by several Arab diplomats accompanying the Saudi ambassador, including the ambassadors of Bahrain, Oman and Lebanon, as well as the chargé d’affaires of the United Arab Emirates embassy in Damascus.

Arab World

Al-Zindani to Asharq Al-Awsat: Govt to Move to Aden Soon, Foreign Ministry Retained to Complete Reforms

Yemen’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Dr. Shaya Al-Zindani 
Yemen’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Dr. Shaya Al-Zindani 
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Al-Zindani to Asharq Al-Awsat: Govt to Move to Aden Soon, Foreign Ministry Retained to Complete Reforms

Yemen’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Dr. Shaya Al-Zindani 
Yemen’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Dr. Shaya Al-Zindani 

Yemen’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Dr. Shaya Al-Zindani, has signaled the first concrete move by his newly sworn-in government, announcing that it will relocate to Aden in the near future, just 24 hours after taking the constitutional oath.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Zindani said his decision to retain the foreign affairs portfolio was driven by the need “to complete the work already begun,” stressing that a return to Yemen is essential to restoring effective governance.

He noted that the move inside the country is a necessary step to activate performance, adding that a presence in Aden must be linked to a genuine ability to manage state files and restore regular institutional functioning.

The comments came during a special episode of the Asharq Al-Awsat Podcast, recorded at Asharq TV studios at the Saudi Research and Media Group headquarters in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District.

Al-Zindani spoke at a time of acute economic pressure and heightened political expectations. He said the current phase does not allow for expansive rhetoric, but rather requires gradual, practical work to rebuild confidence, noting that stabilizing institutional rhythm must precede any expansion of objectives.

Addressing questions on the composition of his cabinet, Al-Zindani highlighted that ministers were selected on purely professional criteria, based on competence, specialization, and experience, away from partisan dictates. He emphasized that weak institutional foundations had been a central cause of past failures, underscoring the need to rebuild state structures and strengthen oversight.

He pointed to relative improvements in some public services, particularly electricity, with Saudi support, while noting that the real challenge lies in sustaining economic reforms and managing resources effectively. On accountability, he argued that unifying political decision-making has opened the door to enforcing the rule of law. When authority is unified, reward and punishment become possible, he underlined.

On economic policy, Al-Zindani avoided quick promises, instead focusing on resource management and reprioritization. Recovery, he said, cannot be achieved through piecemeal decisions but requires restructuring public finance, enhancing transparency, and activating oversight mechanisms. He stressed that financial stability is the foundation for any tangible improvement in citizens’ lives and for restoring domestic and international confidence.

He continued that working from within Yemen will enable the government to better understand societal priorities and reassert the state’s presence in public life, an influence eroded by years of conflict. He described taking the oath in Riyadh as a constitutional and security necessity dictated by circumstances, arguing that attention should focus on the substance of government action rather than symbolism.

On security, Al-Zindani adopted a cautious, realistic tone, acknowledging that years of accumulated challenges cannot be erased quickly. Still, he said coordination among security agencies and unified political leadership have led to relative improvements. While recognizing protests as part of transitional phases, he stressed the need for adherence to legal frameworks to preserve stability and avoid derailment of recovery efforts.

According to the Yemeni official, reorganizing the armed forces requires unified command and redeploying units outside cities to consolidate state authority and reduce overlap between military and security roles. He noted that multiple loyalties in previous phases weakened institutions and must be overcome to restore stability.

Internationally, he said unified political representation strengthens Yemen’s legal and diplomatic standing. He justified retaining the foreign ministry to complete reforms already underway, including restructuring the ministry and overseas missions, describing diplomatic normalization as integral to rebuilding the state.

He further described relations with Saudi Arabia as having evolved from traditional support into a multi-dimensional partnership impacting vital sectors, with scope to expand cooperation in development and economic stability.

On the Houthis, Al-Zindani said the government showed flexibility in peace efforts but faced repeated noncompliance, adding that recent military and economic developments have weakened the group’s position. Any future negotiations, he stressed, must rest on clear references, with unified anti-Houthi forces giving the government a stronger negotiating hand amid rapid regional and international shifts.

 

 

 

Arab World

US Forces Withdraw from Syria's Al-Tanf Base

An American soldier shakes hands with a member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Al-Tanf region - December 28, 2024 (US Army)
An American soldier shakes hands with a member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Al-Tanf region - December 28, 2024 (US Army)
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US Forces Withdraw from Syria's Al-Tanf Base

An American soldier shakes hands with a member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Al-Tanf region - December 28, 2024 (US Army)
An American soldier shakes hands with a member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Al-Tanf region - December 28, 2024 (US Army)

US forces have withdrawn to Jordan from Syria's Al-Tanf base, where they had been deployed as part of the international coalition against the ISIS group, two Syrian military sources told AFP on Wednesday.

One source said "the American forces withdrew entirely from Al-Tanf base today" and decamped to another in Jordan, adding Syrian forces were being deployed to replace them.

A second source confirmed the withdrawal, adding the Americans had been moving equipment out for the past 15 days.

The second source said the US troops would "continue to coordinate with the base in Al-Tanf from Jordan".

During the Syrian civil war and the fight against ISIS, US forces were deployed in the country's Kurdish-controlled northeast and at Al-Tanf, near the borders with Jordan and Iraq.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had been a major partner of the anti-ISIS coalition, and were instrumental in the group's territorial defeat in Syria in 2019.

However, after the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad over a year ago, the United States has drawn closer to the new government in Damascus, recently declaring that the need for its alliance with the Kurds had largely passed.

Syria agreed to join the anti-ISIS coalition when President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House in November.

As Sharaa's authorities seek to extend their control over all of Syria, the Kurds have come under pressure to integrate their forces and de facto autonomous administration into the state, striking an agreement to do so last month after losing territory to advancing government troops.

Since then, the US has been conducting an operation to transfer around 7,000 suspected extremists from Syria -- where many were being held in detention facilities by Kurdish fighters -- to neighboring Iraq.

Following the withdrawal from Al-Tanf and the government's advances in the northeast, US troops are mainly now based at the Qasrak base in Hasakeh, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Despite ISIS's territorial defeat, the group remains active.

It was blamed for a December attack in Palmyra in which a lone gunman opened fire on American personnel, killing two US soldiers and a US civilian.

Washington later conducted retaliatory strikes on ISIS targets in Syria.