Sudan Condemns European Sanctions Against ‘Army-Affiliated Companies’

Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during an inspection of his forces at the beginning of this month. (Transitional Sovereignty Council media)
Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during an inspection of his forces at the beginning of this month. (Transitional Sovereignty Council media)
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Sudan Condemns European Sanctions Against ‘Army-Affiliated Companies’

Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during an inspection of his forces at the beginning of this month. (Transitional Sovereignty Council media)
Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during an inspection of his forces at the beginning of this month. (Transitional Sovereignty Council media)

Sudan's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday denounced “as unjust” the European Council (EC) decision to impose sanctions on three companies affiliated with the Sudanese Army Forces (SAF).
On Monday, the EC had imposed sanctions on six companies for their involvement in financing and arming the warring Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The EC said the six entities were responsible for “supporting activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan.”
Among the companies sanctioned were three controlled by the SAF and three others involved in procuring military equipment for the RSF.
In a statement, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said the European move lacked objectivity as it balances between the national army that defends the Sudanese people, their independence and dignity, and a terrorist militia (RSF), which has tens of thousands of mercenaries committing genocide, ethnic cleansing and sexual violence against the Sudanese people.
It added that the report of the United Nations experts monitoring the implementation of Security Council Resolution No. 1591 “provided sufficient information about those who threaten the stability of Sudan and the entire region, and those who commit war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide or help to commit them, including partners and allies of the European Union.”
It called on the EU to shoulder its political and moral responsibilities towards international and regional peace by pressuring those parties to stop supplying weapons, mercenaries, funding and media coverage to the terrorist militia.
“The sanctions, especially targeting (Sudan's) national institutions, will not help achieve peace,” the Ministry said.
Meanwhile, General Mohamed Hamdan“Hemedti” Daglo, commander of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said on Tuesday he had a telephone conversation with UN Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths to discuss the humanitarian situation in Sudan and ways to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population.
On X, Daglo said he also tackled with Griffiths the process of facilitating entry for humanitarian aid convoys through Gezeira State to the states of Kordofan, Darfur, White Nile, and Khartoum, and other areas in Sudan.
“I also emphasized to Griffiths the importance of humanitarian organizations maintaining a sustainable presence in Kordofan and Darfur, as there is an urgent need for humanitarian operations in these areas,” the RSF commander said.
He then affirmed the firm commitment of his forces to international humanitarian law, protecting civilians, and fostering collaboration with all humanitarian organizations to facilitate and support their work in these localities.
At the field level, eyewitnesses reported that the RSF escalated their attacks on towns in Al Jazira State, leaving several casualties.
Residents in Wad Madani told Asharq Al-Awsat they saw RSF military crowds roaming the city center despite the calm.

 

 



Israeli Strikes Kill 17 People In Gaza, Nearly all of Them Women or Kids

Palestinian children walk past the rubble of houses, destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Palestinian children walk past the rubble of houses, destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
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Israeli Strikes Kill 17 People In Gaza, Nearly all of Them Women or Kids

Palestinian children walk past the rubble of houses, destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Palestinian children walk past the rubble of houses, destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, January 7, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza killed at least 17 people late Tuesday, nearly all of them women or children, the territory’s Health Ministry and hospital officials said.
Five kids were killed as they sheltered together in the same tent, said Ahmed al-Farra, director of the children's ward at nearby Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Their bodies were among the eight children and five women brought to the hospital after strikes on tents, homes and a vehicle. Two bodies were unidentifiable, The Associated Press said.
The Israeli military said it targeted militants who had taken part in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, without providing evidence. Israel said it took steps to lessen the risk of hurting civilians and blamed Hamas for the civilian casualties.
The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is raging with no end in sight, although there has reportedly been recent progress in long-running talks aimed at a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Some Palestinians in the Gaza Strip still have hope the war will end soon. Issam Saqr, a displaced man from Khan Younis, told The Associated Press he hopes the ceasefire “will happen today — before tomorrow!”