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Rapid Support Forces: Sudanese Army Restored Relations with Iran

Representatives of the two parties to the Sudanese conflict during the signing of the "Jeddah Agreement" in May 2023 (Reuters)
Representatives of the two parties to the Sudanese conflict during the signing of the "Jeddah Agreement" in May 2023 (Reuters)
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Rapid Support Forces: Sudanese Army Restored Relations with Iran

Representatives of the two parties to the Sudanese conflict during the signing of the "Jeddah Agreement" in May 2023 (Reuters)
Representatives of the two parties to the Sudanese conflict during the signing of the "Jeddah Agreement" in May 2023 (Reuters)

Senior leaders from Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) met several times last month in Bahrain, the first such contact between the two warring sides since the beginning of the war last April, sources with knowledge of the talks said.
General Shamseldin Kabbashi and the RSF deputy leader General Abdelrahim Dagalo, a brother of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, met in Manama seeking a political deal to end the war in the country.
However, RSF sources said the meetings were suspended in protest against the army's restoration of relations with Iran.
Reuters reported that the meetings in Manama were attended by influential deputies from both forces and officials from Egypt and the UAE, according to the four sources, two of whom were at the talks.
According to one participant, the two sides had tentatively agreed on a declaration of principles, including maintaining the unity of Sudan and its military.
The Armed Forces and the RSF did not comment on the media leaks and remained silent for almost a week.
However, al-Arabiya’s al-Hadath channel reported that the negotiations had stopped after the Sudanese army restored its relationship with Iran.
The channel quoted RSF sources as saying that restoring relations with Iran was "unjustified at present" and that the army seeks "to obtain military and logistical support."
Opinions varied between the supporters of the army and the former regime, including members of the Sudanese Islamic Movement and the National Congress, some of whom called for the continuation of the war, while others supported the Manama talks and those who considered them "treason."
The "Jeddah Platform" negotiations were halted because the two parties disagreed with their pledges.
The army accused the RSF of taking over civilian property, and the latter said the military did not adhere to the procedures for expressing good intentions represented in the arrest of Islamists escaping from prisons and stopping hostile media campaigns.
Furthermore, the Intergovernmental Authority for Development in Africa (IGAD) attempted to stop the war in Sudan at the request of the army commander, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, but he froze dealing with the Authority, claiming it "did not meet the date" set for the meeting with Hemedti.
Meanwhile, the RSF commander expressed readiness to implement its recommendations.
International, regional, and Western efforts, in particular, are active to pressure the two sides to stop the fighting.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited African countries concerned with the Sudanese issue to coordinate international mediation initiatives and increase pressure on both sides of the war.
Last Friday, Baerbock met with the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and the Kenyan President, William Ruto.
The South Sudanese presidency said that the meeting focused on discussing the peace process.
At the beginning of her tour in the region last Wednesday, Baerbock made an unplanned layover in Saudi Arabia on the way to Djibouti, as she needed a permit to fly over Eritrea.
UN Special Envoy for Sudan Ramtane Lamamra visited Sudan and Kenya and met with the two warring parties, urging them to stop the war.
The IGAD summit, held in Uganda on Jan. 18, decided to bring Burhan and Hemedti in a meeting together within two weeks of the decision, but the Sudanese army refused to participate in the summit in protest against Hemedti's invitation to participate.
Burhan also froze Sudan's membership in the regional body, saying the Authority's actions do not concern the army.
IGAD, despite Sudan freezing its membership in it, had pledged to use all means to stop the war, making the capital a demilitarized zone and removing both sides of the fighting from it.
It also called for addressing the humanitarian crisis and deploying African forces to monitor the implementation of the agreement in preparation for a political process that addresses the causes of the war once and for all, a plan agreed upon by the international and regional communities.

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Arab World

US Auditors Find No Evidence Linking Iraq PM-Designate to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards

Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)
Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)
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US Auditors Find No Evidence Linking Iraq PM-Designate to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards

Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)
Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)

A US law firm said an independent investigation it recently conducted found no evidence linking Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, to financial activities tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, adding that restrictions imposed on him in 2024 were due to reputational risks, not proven involvement in money laundering.

The clarification comes as al-Zaidi’s surprise designation to form a government in Baghdad, succeeding Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, faces political scrutiny over his background, after a bank he owns was included in restrictions by the Central Bank of Iraq on access to US dollars, as part of what was described at the time as a campaign to combat illicit financial flows.

Representatives of K2 Integrity, who asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly, said an independent probe by the firm found no credible evidence linking al-Zaidi or Al-Janoob Islamic Bank to the Quds Force and did not identify direct financial transfers from the bank to regional entities classified as high risk.

One representative told Asharq Al-Awsat that the restriction recommended by the US Treasury and the New York Federal Reserve on Al-Janoob Islamic Bank was limited to US dollar transactions and was driven by reputational concerns and the bank’s ownership, rather than confirmed violations related to money laundering or financing Iran-linked entities.

Al-Zaidi, a businessman who owns companies with his brother and partners, including Al-Oweis, Al-Janoob, and Dijlah TV, is seen as an opaque figure in Iraq’s political landscape.

His designation came amid public US opposition that led to Nouri al-Maliki’s exclusion from the race, while unannounced objections were also reported to have sidelined al-Sudani.

Restrictions linked to Iran

In February 2024, Iraq imposed restrictions on eight local banks, including Al-Janoob Islamic Bank, preventing them from accessing US dollars through the central bank window. The move was part of Washington’s efforts to curb money transfers to Iran.

A US Treasury spokesperson said at the time the measures aimed to protect Iraq’s financial system from abuse, citing concerns that US currency could be used in illegal activities.

The case highlights the ongoing challenge facing Baghdad in balancing its ties with both the United States and Iran, given its heavy reliance on the US dollar. Iraq receives about $10 billion in cash annually from the Federal Reserve, according to official estimates.

The US Embassy in Baghdad welcomed al-Zaidi’s designation, expressing support for efforts to form a government that reflects the aspirations of the Iraqi people. This follows months of political deadlock and comes amid pressure from the administration of Donald Trump, which had threatened to cut support to Iraq if al-Maliki returned to power.

Al-Zaidi faces a 30-day deadline to form a government, amid sharp divisions within the Coordination Framework and as regional tensions escalate following military strikes on Iran in February 2026 and subsequent attacks by armed groups on US interests in Iraq.

Arab World

Syria Justice Chief Says Pursuing Assad Regime Requires Patience

Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)
Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)
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Syria Justice Chief Says Pursuing Assad Regime Requires Patience

Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)
Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)

Syria’s judiciary has begun investigating four senior figures from the former regime accused of war crimes against Syrians, even as the National Transitional Justice Commission has yet to complete the formation of its council, raising questions over whether the move falls within a transitional justice framework, particularly in the absence of a dedicated law.

Commission head Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif said the referrals are part of that process.

“Referring the four former regime figures to the courts falls within the path of transitional justice,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that the move was coordinated with the Ministry of Justice.

His remarks come amid doubts about the state’s willingness to hold former regime figures accountable.

Public Prosecutor Judge Hassan al-Turba said on July 30 that prosecutions had been launched against several defendants accused of crimes and violations against Syrians, as part of efforts to implement transitional justice, ensure accountability, and protect victims’ rights.

Those targeted include former officials under Bashar al-Assad: Atef Najib, Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun, Mohammad al-Shaar, and Ibrahim al-Huweija.

Justice process launched

On May 17, Syria’s president issued a decree establishing a transitional justice commission to uncover violations by the former regime, hold those responsible accountable, and provide redress to victims.

The decree describes transitional justice as a cornerstone for building a state governed by the rule of law, guaranteeing victims’ rights, and achieving national reconciliation.

The decree appointed Abdul Latif to lead the body and tasked him with forming a team and drafting internal regulations within 30 days. It grants the commission legal personality and financial and administrative independence, with authority to operate across Syria.

Abdul Latif, born in Deir al-Zor in 1963, studied law at the University of Aleppo and holds advanced degrees in police and legal sciences.

He headed the Qamishli district before defecting in 2012 and later served as secretary-general of the Syrian opposition National Coalition until the regime’s fall.

The commission will examine complaints related to the Assad government’s crackdown on protests that began in March 2011.

Alleged violations include chemical attacks, widespread aerial bombardment with barrel bombs, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and systematic torture in detention centers, which rights groups say killed or disappeared hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Draft law in the works

Abdul Latif said a draft law on transitional justice and serious violations is being prepared and is expected after the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Trials will cover “all types of crimes defined in the decree,” including genocide, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearance, and the use of toxic and chemical gases, as defined under the Geneva Conventions.

On the prospect of prosecuting Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher, who have fled abroad, Abdul Latif said Syrians are waiting for justice but warned that building legally sound cases will take time.

“Nothing is achieved easily,” he said.

Broad accountability

The commission is preparing to establish committees, compile case files, and refer them to the judiciary for the issuance of arrest warrants.Abdul Latif said it would work with international bodies to ensure justice and support for victims. Accountability will span both Hafez al-Assad and his son, covering 54 years of rule.

Abdul Latif said it would be “unethical” to ignore crimes under Hafez al-Assad, including the 1982 Hama massacre, as well as killings in Jisr al-Shughour, Aleppo’s Masharqa neighborhood, and abuses in Tadmor prison.

He said residents of Hama have asked whether the commission will address the largely overlooked massacres of the 1980s. “The commission will listen to all,” he said.

Focus on past crimes

The process will cover the period before Dec. 8, as stipulated in the decree. “Transitional justice addresses past crimes,” Abdul Latif said, noting that current violations fall under the transitional government’s ministries of defense, interior, and justice.

While the commission is not directly responsible for those cases, he did not rule out a role where relevant.

On crimes committed by non-Syrian armed groups before the regime’s fall, Abdul Latif said the decree targets violations by the former regime. However, any Syrian harmed by any group can file a complaint with the commission, which will review it.

Building the commission

Since mid-May, the commission has received about 120 applications. Fifteen will be selected to join the council alongside the chairman, bringing the total to 16 members.

Other applicants will be assigned to specialized teams supporting committee work, with victims at the center of the commission’s mandate.

Abdul Latif said he has met representatives from more than 20 countries and around 30 local and international civil society organizations in recent weeks. Discussions have focused on creating a compensation fund under Syrian sovereignty with international support, given the scale of destruction and the state’s limited capacity.

He said reconstruction could form part of compensation, at least through partial repairs to damaged homes.

Syrian organizations, he added, bring significant expertise in human rights, transitional justice, and the issue of missing persons. They will form a second pillar of the commission’s work, alongside a third made up of legal academics and historians tasked with documenting violations and preserving national memory.

Complaints mechanism

The commission is preparing to launch an online platform and dedicated phone lines to receive complaints, alongside a witness protection program.

Cases will be reviewed by specialized committees, including a truth-seeking body tasked with gathering evidence and building case files.

Drawing on global experience, Abdul Latif said some countries prioritized reconciliation while others focused on accountability.

Syria, he said, will pursue both tracks in parallel to ensure justice and pave the way for national reconciliation.

Globally, such processes have taken five to eight years. Syria’s decree sets a five-year mandate, with the possibility of extension.

“We hope to complete the work within five years,” Abdul Latif said.

Arab World

Hamas Revives Momentum for Political Bureau Chief Election

Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)
Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)
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Hamas Revives Momentum for Political Bureau Chief Election

Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)
Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)

Two sources in the Palestinian group Hamas said on Wednesday that the movement has resumed the process of electing a new head of its political bureau, pending the full selection of its members.

The move restores momentum to the leadership race after it stalled at least twice in January and February.

A source inside Gaza told Asharq Al-Awsat that “conditions that had been hindering the elections have been resolved,” opening the way for the process to restart.

He said some of those conditions were linked to internal organizational disputes in the enclave, adding that once settled, the decision was made to resume the process, alongside external political and security factors and ongoing negotiations.

Hamas faces its most severe crisis since its founding in 1987, after Israeli strikes launched in response to the Oct. 7, 2023, attack hit multiple wings and levels of the group, triggering organizational and financial strains.

Estimates suggest Khaled Meshaal, head of the political bureau abroad, and Khalil al-Hayya, head of the political bureau in Gaza, are the leading contenders.

Observers and figures inside and outside Hamas say al-Hayya is backed by members in Gaza and the Qassam Brigades, while Meshaal has stronger support in the West Bank and abroad.

A source outside Gaza said the vote will take place across all accessible arenas, inside Gaza, the West Bank and abroad, depending on conditions, with a decision expected soon.

For about a year and a half, a leadership council has been managing Hamas affairs.

At the start of this year, a new push began to elect a leader for the remainder of the current political bureau’s term, originally due to end in 2025 and extended by one year, pending broader elections expected at the end of this year or early next year.

An attempt to hold the vote in mid-February was disrupted by the US-Israeli war on Iran, sources said at the time.

The vote will be limited to selecting a new political bureau chief to lead Hamas inside and outside the territories. Full elections for the bureau are not expected before the end of this year or early 2027.

The current leadership council, which includes Hamas leaders in Gaza, the West Bank and abroad, along with the movement’s secretary-general, and is headed by Shura Council chief Mohammed Darwish, will become an advisory body overseeing the group’s internal and external affairs.