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RSF Delegation Discusses Peace Strategies with Mediators

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Jaafar Hassan, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) delegation in Geneva (RSF)
Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Jaafar Hassan, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) delegation in Geneva (RSF)
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RSF Delegation Discusses Peace Strategies with Mediators

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Jaafar Hassan, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) delegation in Geneva (RSF)
Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Jaafar Hassan, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) delegation in Geneva (RSF)

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reported that their delegation held “crucial” talks late Saturday and into Sunday in Geneva about the “escalating situation in Sudan and the strategies for peace and stability.”
The RSF delegation met separately with the African Union, led by Mohamed Ibn Chambas, and with Saudi Arabian representatives.
They expressed “deep appreciation” for international efforts to promote peace in Sudan, emphasizing that their presence in Geneva shows the RSF’s “sincere commitment to ending the conflict and easing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.”
The RSF also accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of refusing ceasefire talks and prolonging the conflict, citing internal divisions and influence from remnants of the former regime.
As for peacemaking efforts, the RSF delegation thanked Saudi Arabia for its “persistent efforts to promote peace and stability in Sudan” and for playing a key role in the Jeddah talks that led to the Geneva negotiations.
The delegation also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s substantial humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict, delivered through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.
The RSF reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the “unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid across Sudan.”
US Special Envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, stated that discussions with the RSF are ongoing.
Meanwhile, Washington continues to engage in phone talks with Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman and Army Chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in an effort to encourage his participation in the negotiations.
Talks are scheduled to resume on Monday after a two-day pause, though mediators have yet to receive confirmation of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ participation.

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Arab World

Lebanon’s War Losses Double Compared to 2006

Rescuers and aid workers search for survivors at the site of an Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon (AFP)
Rescuers and aid workers search for survivors at the site of an Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon (AFP)
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Lebanon’s War Losses Double Compared to 2006

Rescuers and aid workers search for survivors at the site of an Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon (AFP)
Rescuers and aid workers search for survivors at the site of an Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon (AFP)

A comparison of the current human and material losses from the ongoing Hezbollah-Israel conflict with those from the July 2006 war shows that current losses have doubled.

Experts warn that the reconstruction funds and aid pledged to Lebanon 18 years ago may have limited impact once the war ends.

Total Losses

Mohammad Shamseddine, a researcher from Information International, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the death toll has risen from 900 in 2006 to 2,865 in the current conflict (as of October 31, 2024), with the number increasing daily. The number of wounded was 4,000 in 2006, but it has now exceeded 13,047.

In 2006, 600,000 people were displaced, while today that number has surpassed 1.2 million. Of these, 189,174 are in shelters. A total of 358,133 Syrians and 172,604 Lebanese have fled to Syria, and 120,000 have sought refuge in other countries.

Lebanese Economy and Trade Minister Amin Salam estimated that Lebanon’s total economic losses from the current conflict have reached $20 billion. However, economic associations report direct losses between $10 billion and $12 billion, covering damage to key sectors, homes, buildings, and infrastructure.

These figures align with estimates from Shamseddine, who believes direct and indirect losses are around $10 billion.

Of this, $4 billion occurred from October 8, 2023, to September 17, 2024 (when the conflict was mostly limited to the south), and $7 billion from September 17 to October 31, 2024, after Israel expanded the war. For comparison, losses during the 2006 war totaled $5.3 billion.

In 2006, infrastructure damage was valued at $900 million, higher than the current war's $570 million in infrastructure losses.

Housing losses in 2006 totaled $2.2 billion, while they have now surpassed $4.26 billion. Mohammad Shamseddine points out that commercial losses were similar in both conflicts, at $4.7 million.

Agricultural and environmental losses in 2006 were $450 million, but now exceed $900 million. Indirect economic damages were $1.2 billion in 2006, while they have now surpassed $3.38 billion.

One notable difference is the number of airstrikes: from October 8, 2023, to October 31, 2024, there were 11,647, compared to just 3,670 during the 33-day 2006 war.