Al Mayadeen – September 9, 2024
Erdogan says the cannot remain indifferent to the increasingly audacious Israeli attacks
The Turkish leader says the Organization of Islamic Cooperation cannot remain indifferent to the "increasingly audacious" Israeli attacks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on leaders of Muslim-majority nations to convene at the highest level "without further delay" to support the Palestinian people and defend occupied al-Quds against Israeli attacks.
"The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is tasked with defending the cause of Jerusalem, cannot remain indifferent to these increasingly audacious attacks," Erdogan underscored on Monday following a Cabinet meeting in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
"It’s urgent for the organization to convene at the leadership level without further delay and to demonstrate the decisive stance of the Islamic world," he stressed.
A couple of days ago, Erdogan called on Islamic countries to unite against "Israel's" growing "threat of expansionism."
"The only step that will stop Israeli arrogance, Israeli banditry, and Israeli state terrorism is the alliance of Islamic countries," the Turkish President indicated at an Islamic schools' association event near Istanbul.
Addressing the recent killing of 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a dual citizen of Turkiye and the United States, at the hands of Israeli occupation forces during a protest against illegal Israeli settlements near Nablus in the occupied West Bank, Erdogan vowed on Monday that Turkiye will take "every legal step" to ensure her blood "was not spilled in vain."
This, according to the Turkish leader, includes pursuing legal action through the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which is already investigating allegations of genocide against "Israel".
Al Mayadeen – September 8, 2024
The invincible Palestinian Resistance
Alexander Tuboltsev
Delving into the historical events that shaped Palestine shows us the continuity of generations of Palestinian fighters and their willingness to fight for their independence and the security of their homeland.
A few days ago, the Zionist regime launched a new aggression against Palestinians in the West Bank. During the battles in Jenin and Tulkarm, Palestinian Resistance fighters bravely defended their native land, their homes, and their families. Every day, they carry out heroic operations against enemy forces.
As in September 2000, when the Second Intifada began, the West Bank again became the center of confrontation. This land, with a history marked with great and dramatic events, was once again invaded by Zionist armored vehicles. The spark of popular resistance has flared into a bright flame, as Palestinian forces fight back against the occupiers with weapons in hand.
Exactly 86 years ago, in September 1938, there were also battles in these areas. At the time, Palestinian guerrillas under the command of Abd al-Rahim al-Hajj Muhammad fought against the British colonialists in Nablus, Tulkarm, and Jenin. This was during the Arab Revolt in Palestine when the Indigenous people rose in their struggle for their freedom against the imperialists and Zionist settlers, who were supported by Britain.
It is not by chance that I mention these historical events. They show us the continuity of generations of Palestinian fighters and their willingness to fight for their independence and the security of their homeland. But there is another important point that I want to discuss in more detail.
The Israeli occupation army invaded the Gaza Strip with a massive force of tanks, armored vehicles, and aircraft – the very military equipment that the Zionists have proudly boasted about for years. But what did we see in the future?
The fighters of the Palestinian Resistance factions fought back in response to enemy aggression. Videos of Israeli armored vehicles turning into burning metal after being hit by hand grenade launchers on the streets of Palestinian cities have spread all over the world. The Zionist regime suffered heavy losses and suffered significant military defeats in Gaza and Khan Younis.
The Palestinians have demonstrated to everyone that it is people, not just military equipment, who achieve victories. They met the advancing enemy with a hail of lead and bullets, forcing him to retreat in many places.
Today, Palestinian warriors show bravery just like their courageous ancestors. This is not only a succession of generations of Resistance fighters. This is the national character of the Palestinian people, ready to fight for his freedom.
Witnessing the active resistance against the Zionist invasion in the north of the West Bank, we can once again see the manifestation of the will to win and the freedom-loving national character of the Palestinian people.
They are defending their homes because "Israel" is trying to destroy them by bombing and dropping tons of bombs and rockets on civilian areas.
They are defending their land, from Gaza to the West Bank, because "Israel" is trying to occupy it in order to create illegal Zionist settlements in its place.
They are fighting for the freedom and independence of their homeland, the sovereign State of Palestine, in difficult conditions when the Western-sponsored Zionist regime is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
This is truly an example of indomitable and invincible resistance.
History shows us that it is through active resistance that nations are victorious over the occupiers. When Nazi Germany launched its aggression against the USSR in 1941, the Red Army and Soviet partisans stood shoulder to shoulder in defense of the Motherland. The heroic struggle ended with the complete defeat of the Nazi occupiers and led to a Great Victory in May 1945.
Similarly, when the United States invaded Vietnam, it was the determined resistance of the Vietnamese guerrillas that enabled the country to preserve its independence and ultimately defeat the American aggressors.
That is why, from a historical perspective, the Palestinian’s armed Resistance against the Zionist regime is a struggle. The central battle in the 21st century within the framework of the international anti-colonial struggle is taking place in Palestine. This national resistance against Zionist settler colonialism and Western imperialism is of immense global scale for the creation of a more equitable and just world order.
I have listed several key milestones in history: the uprising against British colonialists in Palestine in the 1930s, the Second Intifada, and resistance against "Israeli" aggression in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2023-2024.
This is a chronologically clear illustration of the outstanding and long history of the Palestinian struggle. And the true strength of this struggle lies in the character, ideals, and unwavering will of the Palestinian people. It is an inextinguishable source of inspiration for millions around the world.
https://english.almayadeen.net/articles/blog/the-historical-tradition-of-the-palestinian-resistance--the
Al Jazeera – September 11, 2024
US grants Egypt $1.3bn in military aid
The US government is overriding human rights concerns by providing $1.3bn in military aid to Egypt, a State Department spokesperson says.
The announcement comes as Washington has relied heavily on Cairo – a longstanding US ally – to mediate so far unsuccessful talks between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire deal to end the bloody war on Gaza.
“This decision is important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to US national security priorities, particularly to finalize a ceasefire agreement for Gaza, bring the hostages home, surge humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in need, and help bring an enduring end to the Israel-Hamas conflict,” the spokesperson said.
Daily Sabah – September 10, 2024
Is Türkiye losing interest in partnership with the EU?
by Valeria Giannotta
Türkiye’s participation in the EU foreign ministers’ informal meeting held in Brussels on Aug. 29 has an important meaning, at least from a symbolic perspective, as it is intended to revitalize Ankara’s relations with the 27-member bloc. Indeed, after five years of absence, Türkiye has been invited again to the table to discuss several issues of mutual interest.
As a longstanding candidate member, Türkiye is a crucial interlocutor to the EU since its diplomatic activism entangles many dossiers concerning Brussels. However, a new page needs to be written to resume a constructive spirit among the parts amid regional challenges and risky factors. The timing is certainly not coincidental, both about the domestic dynamics of the union and for what concerns the regional events.
At the gates of Europe, a war has been fought for years now, which, despite predictions, is dragging on and escalating. The Russian-Ukrainian front has become very hot and this implies spillover in Europe and the whole area. Moreover, new conflicts are heating the region by posing many risks to international architecture; hence, security has become a priority for the EU. However, the EU lacks an efficient strategic-defensive structure, given the historical difficulty in implementing an effective security and defense union; thus it has been delegating its own security to NATO and the U.S.
In this frame, Türkiye is a key interlocutor since militarily and politically it has been very active in protecting European interests. In the thorny Russian-Ukrainian scenario, Ankara has been providing assistance and support to the Ukrainian army through the supply of Turkish drones. Moreover, it takes a regular part in NATO operations and many EU missions. In other words, Ankara is already playing a crucial role in the defense of Europe and the West. Indeed, the approval of the membership of Sweden and Finland to NATO, decisions driven by strategic opportunities and made in the interest of the alliance, should not be underestimated. As the second largest army in NATO, the Turkish role will always be crucial in light of the notable development of the Turkish defense sector.
In addition, it is worth mentioning Turkish diplomatic dynamism in mediating among the warring sides, as it was evident at the Antalya and Istanbul negotiation tables as well as in the creation of the so-called "grain corridor" and more recently in the prisoners' swap operation. Hence, Türkiye's synergy with Europe and the defense of Western core values are evident. There is room to think that from a future perspective, Türkiye would eventually pay the dividends of European defense aiming to fill that gap that the U.S. and NATO currently cover. However not just that, Türkiye is also an EU strategic partner from many other perspectives. As an energy corridor, Ankara is a crucial reference for Brussels in its energy differentiation policies. The relationship is also cemented by solid economic data and a significant trade exchange grown constantly over the years to reach 206 billion euros (about $227 billion) in 2023.
Without going over in detail the vicissitudes of the Turkish-European process, there is no doubt that over the years, despite its EU candidacy and the ongoing accession process, Türkiye has been subjected to "third country" treatment and the relations with the EU have gradually taken on a "transnational" nature, intended as cooperation on specific dossiers, including migration.
Currently, as the EU faces a new leadership, the need to revitalize relations with Ankara becomes more important. Furthermore, the uncertainty over the outcome of next November's American elections poses many questions to Brussels, especially regarding the implementation of its foreign policy and the guarantee of its security. In this context, the acknowledgment of Türkiye as a reliable partner on crucial issues, at least cosmetically by the 27, comes to the fore. Unfortunately, the thorny issues in the relations with the EU remain pending: the visa liberalization for Turkish citizens, the modernization of the customs union, the restarting of negotiations and the Cyprus issue. A serious and positive discussion on the first two points, as necessary and ethically due, combined with the resumption of the high-level dialogue, would have the mutual benefit of lifting the sense of frustration toward Brussels and maximizing the benefits of the historic relationship. Otherwise, if the declared intentions are not supported by facts and a clear road map is not set, not only will the European credibility be dramatically undermined, but, in line with its diplomatic differentiation, Türkiye will be more than entitled to find an alternative path.
More recently Ankara has applied to the BRICS. The application entangles several aspects as well as Ankara's frustration with the EU bloc. Apart from the stalemate in the negotiation process, also given by the monolithic European vision regarding Cyprus, the open dossiers to invest in strengthening the cooperation with Ankara, although always discussed in their urgent needs, remain a dead letter. Together with the liberalization of visas for Turkish citizens, the modernization of the customs union, so strongly supported by the European side, has been held hostage to political and maximalist approaches to the detriment of mutual interests. Thus, the dialogue with BRICS is also born in the light of leveraging on the West by ventilating the option of a paradigm shift, which could also affect the global dynamics. The criticalities of the liberal system are dramatically evident in many perspectives, overall in the absolute inability to positively address the global crises by enforcing a genuine spirit of solidarity. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye has been very vocal in denouncing the dysfunctions of a system that does not reflect the current distribution of world power and does not implement sustainable approaches. The mottos "A fairer world is possible" and "The world is bigger than 5" therefore entail the need for responsible and responsive institutional frameworks.
Strategically located between the West and the East, Türkiye is well aware of regional and global risks and by acting as a hinge it also aims to preserve its national interest. Logistically and economically, Ankara is a hub of great importance as a connector between the Global South and the Global North, a role enabling an in-depth understanding of regional dynamics. The growing engagement in Africa, the diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and the projection toward Central Asia and beyond are all proof of Turkish international activism and vision. However, in its relations with the West and especially with the EU, Türkiye has been subjected to unequal and unfair approaches. Unfortunately, the Turkish dynamism and its crucial role in several dossiers, also in the frame of being the 17th world economy, today is counterbalanced by a swampy relationship with Europe while the BRICS emerging powers showcase political vision and economic vitality. In this hectic time, thus, the crucial question concerns the EU’s sincerity and effective speed in revitalizing relations with Ankara and the compatibility of Turkish membership to BRICS with the constraints of the Western institutions Ankara is embedded in.
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/is-turkiye-losing-interest-in-partnership-with-the-eu
The forgotten civil war: Sudan's crisis deepens as death toll passes 20,000
Experts say both regional and international actors are exacerbating the strife, which threatens an entire generation of young people in the country.
Zeynep Conkar
Sudan is facing one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history, with the civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claiming over 20,000 lives since last April.
Despite the staggering death toll and displacement figures, the conflict has garnered little attention from mainstream media, leading many to call it the world's "forgotten war."
Before the fighting escalated in 2023, 16 million people were already in urgent need of humanitarian aid and the civil war has only exacerbated the suffering, according to Dr. Ensar Kucukaltan, General Coordinator of the Africa Coordination and Training Center (AKEM).
Speaking to TRT World, Kucukaltan said "12 million have been displaced, with 10 million still within the country, which according to United Nations data represents the largest internal displacement rate in the world."
"Among the remaining, approximately 600,000 to 700,000 people have been forcibly displaced to Chad. These are all very serious figures," he added.
'World's worst hunger crisis'
Over 16 months into the war, Sudan's food security has reached a critical tipping point, with over 26.6 million people — around 54% of the country's population — facing severe hunger.
The conflict has devastated agricultural production and destroyed vital food infrastructure, leaving local economies in ruins and worsening food shortages.
The humanitarian response has been critically underfunded; of the $2.7 billion needed for 2024, only 5 percent has been secured.
Senior United Nations officials have already warned the Security Council, calling for an urgent cessation of hostilities before an entire generation is destroyed.
"We are here today to warn you of a far-reaching and fast-deteriorating situation of food insecurity in Sudan," said Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
There have also been reports of mass graves, gang rapes, shockingly indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas and "many more horrors," she reported in March, with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) warning that some acts may amount to war crimes.
Adding to the crisis, Sudan is one of the countries most affected by climate crisis, with extreme weather patterns threatening the livelihoods of 80 percent of working Sudanese who depend on agriculture and pastoralism.
As Wosornu told the UN Security Council, "Sudan is on course to become the world's worst hunger crisis."
Crippling healthcare
The war has severely strained Sudan's healthcare system, leaving 70 percent of it inoperable. This collapse means even manageable diseases could quickly escalate into deadly epidemics, especially for vulnerable groups like children.
Meanwhile, the nation's few remaining functional hospitals have been overwhelmed by the constant stream of casualties, leaving many without access to essential medical care.
"This crisis has led to a surge in further health problems," Kucukaltan said, adding that a recent measles outbreak has affected over 1,000 children, while cholera has claimed around 300 lives from 12,000 reported cases.
Meanwhile, over 10,000 schools remain out of use, leaving millions of children without education. This is a devastating blow to the country's future and potentially sets back an entire generation, crippling the country's prospects for recovery and development in the years to come.
As Kucukaltan puts it,"unfortunately, since Sudan does not receive much media attention, despite having experienced a similar situation to Gaza and Libya, these needs remain unaddressed on the international stage."
How it started
The the recent conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023, primarily due to tensions between the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (Hemeti).
Both leaders had been allies in the 2019 coup, but after the ousting of Sudan's President Omar al Bashir, they clashed over power-sharing, particularly the integration of the RSF into the army as part of the country's transition to civilian rule.
Efforts to broker peace collapsed, leading to intense fighting, especially in the capital Khartoum and the Darfur region.
"As a result of this power struggle, a severe humanitarian crisis is currently unfolding, particularly in Darfur, and many of Sudan's previously secure regions are now experiencing conditions akin to civil war, revealing that the once-safe areas are no longer secure havens," Kucukaltan said.
He added that both of these groups have various international connections.
Sudanese and regional diplomatic sources have claimed that the Russian mercenary group Wagner has been supplying Sudan's RSF Rapid with missiles to aid their fight against the country's army.
"There are claims that Wagner, which has been active in many regions including Libya and Mali, is also operating in Sudan. It is said that these groups are influenced by various mining and infrastructure agreements with different foreign entities," Kucukaltan said.
The sources noted that surface-to-air missiles have greatly strengthened the RSF paramilitary fighters and their leader, Daglo, in his struggle for power against al Burhan, Sudan's military ruler and head of the armed forces.
Thus, it is evident that the broader region encompassing Upper East Africa, including Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, and even Somalia, is facing interconnected internal conflicts, Kucukaltan said.
He suggests that when countries are in competition, internal strife in one can provide an advantage to others.
"Consequently, both regional and global external forces are exacerbating Sudan's civil war."
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The Journal of America Team:
Editor in chief:
Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Senior Editor:
Prof. Arthur Scott
Special Correspondent
Maryam Turab
