Leading Member of Taqaddum Calls for End to Sudan War
Smoke billows from fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF in Khartoum. (Reuters file photo)
Leading member of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) and head of the Unionist Alliance Babiker Faisal Babiker urged the Sudanese warring parties to end the conflict and resolve disputes through negotiations “to save the country from the fate of others where wars have lasted decades.”
In an interview to Asharq Al-Awsat from Addis Ababa, he said: “I call on both parties to show determination to stop the war as soon as possible before it spirals out of their control.”
He called on the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to reach a “peaceful negotiated solution that safeguards our country and places it back on the path of the revolution and democratic civil transition.”
He recalled that before the eruption of the conflict last year and as a member of the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) liaison committee, he met with army commander Abdul Fattah al-Burhan for three hours on a Friday during which they agreed to ease the tensions in the country.
They also agreed to form a committee comprised of army, RSF and FFC members. The committee was set to meet the next day, Saturday, and withdraw army forces from Khartoum, Babiker went on to say.
After meeting with Burhan, the liaison committee then headed to meet with RSF commander Mohammed Hamdan Daglo at his home but couldn’t find him. It was instead met with his brother and deputy leader of the RSF Abdulrahman, who expressed his support for the agreement reached by the meeting hours earlier.
He pledged to take part in the meeting that was set for Saturday.
Babiker told Asharq Al-Awsat that he returned home after these meetings reassured that they had succeeded in defusing the tensions.
However, they were taken by surprise the next morning when an “armed group” surrounded the sports city - an RSF camp. The war erupted soon after.
Babiker said the group that fired the first shot “had an interest in thwarting the ‘framework agreement’ because it wanted to return to power.”
The agreement details the transition to a civilian democracy in Sudan.
Babiker added that a group “loyal to the Islamist movement and National Congress Party had made several threats about thwarting the transition and it then fired that first shot that sparked the war.”
Asked by Asharq Al-Awsat why the situation spiraled out of control, he replied: “We had to contend with several new factors when the war erupted, such as air strikes that have killed hundreds of people.”
“Every party then amassed its forces. The drive for war was difficult to contain,” he said.
Yemeni Military Chief: We Rebuilt the Army, Military Decision-Making Is Now Unifiedhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5289990-yemeni-military-chief-we-rebuilt-army-military-decision-making-now-unified
Yemeni Military Chief: We Rebuilt the Army, Military Decision-Making Is Now Unified
Bin Aziz said the relationship with Saudi Arabia goes beyond coordination and has become a genuine partnership on the ground (Saba)
Yemen's Chief of the General Staff and Commander of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Sagheer bin Aziz, said the military leadership and decision-making process have been unified as part of efforts to bring all military formations under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff.
He revealed that the Yemeni armed forces have completed about 80 percent of their operational and administrative arrangements since the 2022 truce began, adding that the military has continued over the past several years to rebuild its units, improve combat readiness, and strengthen its capabilities in confronting the Iran-backed Houthi group.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat from Marib, bin Aziz said the effort included reorganizing military units, defining their sectors and missions in line with military standards, training and qualifying large numbers of armed forces personnel, and restructuring administrative systems in accordance with the Armed Forces Service Law.
The army chief stressed that "the leadership is now unified, the military decision-making process is unified, and we are on the right path toward bringing all military formations under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff."
Restructuring
He added: "Since the truce began in 2022, we have made excellent progress in both operational and administrative arrangements. We reorganized military units, their sectors, and their missions in accordance with military standards. We also trained and qualified large numbers of armed forces personnel and restructured the administrative framework of military units in line with the law."
Bin Aziz explained that since 2015 the Yemeni military has fought a different kind of war from any it had faced before. The armed forces were assembled from former army units as well as newly established formations while fighting a conflict that continued until 2022, during which the military suffered "tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded."
He continued: "The army withstood an arsenal backed by Iran. There were setbacks, but our resilience was greater because it preserved what remained of the Republic of Yemen and the institutions of the state."
According to bin Aziz, one of the most significant achievements in recent years has been the introduction of a smart ID card system for armed forces personnel, which has now been implemented in about 95 percent of military units. He described it as an important step in eliminating overlap and duplication within the armed forces.
He said: "This is an important achievement because it removes doubts and concerns about overlapping units, duplication, and related issues. We are satisfied with what has been accomplished so far, and the work is continuing."
Integrating Military Formations
On integrating military formations, bin Aziz said unifying the administration of the armed forces is one of the most important requirements for success on the battlefield and for achieving security and stability in Yemen. He noted that the process requires time and multiple steps to incorporate the various formations under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff.
He added: "Reforming the military establishment and unifying its administration is a goal shared by everyone. We believe that unifying the military's command structure is one of the fundamental pillars for achieving success in the battle and securing stability in the Republic of Yemen."
He said work on this effort is continuing under the leadership of the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, the supreme commander of the armed forces, together with the council's members. He stressed that the most important achievement at this stage is that the leadership has become unified, both within Yemen and across the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy.
He said: "What matters to us now is that the leadership has become unified and the military decision-making process is unified. We are on the right path toward bringing all military formations under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff."
Lieutenant General Sagheer bin Aziz, Chief of the General Staff (Saba)
Lessons Learned
Asked about the military lessons drawn from years of war, Yemen's army chief said the nature of warfare has changed dramatically, with drones, ballistic missiles, electronic jamming systems, and smart weapons becoming decisive factors in modern warfare.
At the same time, he stressed that technology does not eliminate the role of ground forces. While smart weapons may influence offensive operations and the scale of losses, he said controlling and securing territory ultimately depends on personnel on the ground.
He said: "War today has become a different kind of conflict. Drones, ballistic missiles, electronic jamming systems, and smart weapons have become the decisive factors. But no matter how advanced technology becomes, ground forces, particularly the infantry, remain among the most important factors in success on the battlefield."
He added: "Drones, ballistic missiles, and smart systems cannot remain on the ground and secure it. The infantry soldier remains the decisive factor in holding territory, and controlling the ground is more important than any other weapon."
Modern Technologies
On the use of modern technologies, bin Aziz said the Yemeni armed forces are making "good" use of these capabilities. He said the military has specialized units for drones, smart weapons, and electronic jamming systems, in addition to experienced personnel who have gained extensive battlefield expertise over years of war.
He said: "Our training and qualification in this field are of the highest standard. We have specialized units for drones, smart weapons, and electronic jamming systems, along with highly capable personnel who possess extensive battlefield experience as well as advanced training."
Saudi Partnership and Support
The Yemeni army chief praised Saudi Arabia's support in military training and qualification, noting that the Kingdom has trained hundreds of Yemeni military personnel across various fields.
He said: "Our brothers in Saudi Arabia are also committed to training and qualification. We highly value and appreciate the continued military cooperation they have provided."
He added that the relationship with Saudi Arabia goes beyond coordination and has become "a genuine partnership on the ground" across multiple fields, particularly in confronting Houthi threats that target not only Yemen but also Saudi Arabia and the Arab region as a whole.
He continued: "The Saudis have stood with us through every circumstance and at every stage. We can never fully repay them for the support and cooperation they have provided in what we regard as our sacred battle against the Houthi group."
Bin Aziz stressed that Saudi Arabia's support for Yemen is not driven by political or economic objectives, but by its conviction that the security of Yemen and Saudi Arabia is indivisible.
He said: "We know that Saudi Arabia has no political or economic ambitions in its cooperation with the Republic of Yemen. Its primary objective is the belief that its security is inseparable from Yemen's, and Yemen's security is inseparable from its own. This is a sincere, brotherly stance and the response of generous men standing by their brothers in Yemen."
Concluding the interview, the Yemeni army chief said the current phase marks a transition from coordination to a genuine partnership.
He said: "Today, we are no longer in a phase of coordination alone. We are in a phase of genuine partnership on the ground, militarily, economically, politically, and socially, to defeat the enemy that threatens Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the entire Arab world."
Gaza Health Officials Say 3 Killed in Israeli Drone Strikehttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5289894-gaza-health-officials-say-3-killed-israeli-drone-strike
Mourners sit inside a vehicle as they carry the body of Palestinian child Malik Abu Shawish, on the day of the funeral of Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli strike, according to medics, at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Gaza Health Officials Say 3 Killed in Israeli Drone Strike
Mourners sit inside a vehicle as they carry the body of Palestinian child Malik Abu Shawish, on the day of the funeral of Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli strike, according to medics, at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Gaza health officials said on Monday that an Israeli drone strike killed three civilians, including a child, the latest violence to hit the Palestinian territory despite a ceasefire.
Israel and Hamas trade near-daily accusations of truce violations and the Gaza Strip remains gripped by bloodshed as progress stalls on permanently ending their war.
"Three people were killed and several injured when an Israeli drone struck a group of civilians," Al-Aqsa hospital said in a statement.
Gaza's civil defense agency, which acts as a rescue force under Hamas, said the strike hit an area in Deir el-Balah, one of the least damaged towns in central Gaza.
The hospital said the fatalities were two men and an 8-year-old while a third man was wounded.
Israel's military identified the target as Zaher Abu Salem, who it said was a member of Islamic Jihad and was involved in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that triggered the war.
At least 1,041 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on October 10 last year, according to the territory's health ministry.
The Israeli army has reported six deaths in its ranks during the same period.
Al-Zaidi: We Will Continue Anti-Corruption Efforts in Iraq to Recover Public Fundshttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5289871-al-zaidi-we-will-continue-anti-corruption-efforts-iraq-recover-public-funds
This handout picture released by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Media Office shows PM Ali al-Zaidi giving an address after assuming office in Baghdad on May 16, 2026. (Photo by IRAQI PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS OFFICE / AFP)
Al-Zaidi: We Will Continue Anti-Corruption Efforts in Iraq to Recover Public Funds
This handout picture released by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Media Office shows PM Ali al-Zaidi giving an address after assuming office in Baghdad on May 16, 2026. (Photo by IRAQI PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS OFFICE / AFP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has stressed that the government was determined to continue fighting corruption to recover public funds.
In remarks published Monday following a cabinet session held on Sunday night, al-Zaidi said that “the recent offensive against corruption is just a first phase, and the government will continue to combat corruption to recover public funds.”
The government “is tasked with protecting the interests of the Iraqi people, and there will be no leniency,” said al-Zaidi.
He added that “the situation can no longer be tolerated, and our concern for the welfare of Iraqis compels us to assure our people that there are strong guardians of public funds.”
Iraq “has endured eras of wars, chaos, and combating terrorism. Today, the government's path is different by ... not allowing the corrupt to be part of the state's apparatus with the aim of stealing public funds.”
Dozens of Iraqi political officials have been arrested on corruption charges, Iraq’s state-run Iraqi News Agency reported Sunday.
It said the arrests were based on a statement made by former Deputy Minister of Oil Adnan al-Jumaili, who was arrested last month, and “included members of Parliament whose immunity had been lifted.”
لم تشترك بعد
انشئ حساباً خاصاً بك لتحصل على أخبار مخصصة لك ولتتمتع بخاصية حفظ المقالات وتتلقى نشراتنا البريدية المتنوعة
