PORT SUDAN: Sudan’s military advanced on central Khartoum “from multiple axes” on Thursday, an army source told AFP, with troops nearing the paramilitary-controlled Republican Palace.
The army, at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, has in recent weeks mounted a fierce offensive to reclaim full control of the capital.
“Our forces are close to reaching the center of Khartoum... and expelling the Dagalo militia,” a source in the army told AFP, referring to RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
“Our armored forces are advancing from multiple axes,” he added, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
On Wednesday, the army said it had “cleared out” the neighborhoods of Al-Remila and the Industrial Area in central Khartoum — only three kilometers (1.9 miles) from the RSF-held Republican Palace.
But eyewitnesses on Thursday said army troops had to make their way through RSF snipers posted on high-rises in what used to be Khartoum’s business and government district.
The RSF did not respond to an AFP request for comment.
Further south, witnesses reported clashes between the army and the RSF around Soba Bridge — a key southeastern entry point to the capital.
In recent weeks, the army has surged through the capital, breaking a nearly two-year siege by the RSF on its headquarters and pushing the paramilitary to the edges of Khartoum North, also known as Bahri.
The army’s advance on the capital is its biggest victory in a year, since it regained Omdurman across the Nile River which, together with Khartoum North and the city center, makes up greater Khartoum.
Since it erupted, the war has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted 12 million and pushed the country to the brink of famine.
Sudan army advances on central Khartoum: military source
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Sudan army advances on central Khartoum: military source
- “Our forces are close to reaching the center of Khartoum... and expelling the Dagalo militia,” a source in the army said
- “Our armored forces are advancing from multiple axes“
Dubai International Airport to receive 3.6m travelers during Eid holiday
- Departures during Eid week are expected to increase by 19 percent compared to the average weekly volume in February
- Eid holiday period coincides with spring break for schools in April
LONDON: Dubai International Airport is expecting a busy two weekends with nearly 4 million passengers passing through as the month of Ramadan concludes and the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Fitr begins in April.
Dubai Airport is preparing to receive over 3.6 million guests passing through its terminals during the Eid travel peak from March 26 to April 7. Saturday, April 5, is expected to be the busiest day of the holiday period, with 309,000 travelers.
Departures during Eid week are expected to increase by 19 percent compared to the average weekly volume in February, with daily traffic projected to average 276,000 people.
Dubai Airport said the Eid holiday period coincides with spring break for schools in April, leading to a surge in travel to countries such as India, Pakistan, and the UK and an increase in leisure travel to destinations like Sri Lanka, Turkiye, and Italy.
The airport has recently launched DXB Express Maps, a smart navigation app that offers real-time directions across all terminals, ensuring smoother journeys during this busy period, it said in a statement. Travelers can scan the QR code on any flight information screen to find their gate and explore various dining and retail options.
Tunisian president urges increased migrant returns
- The presidency said that “only 1,544 migrants have been repatriated” since the start of the year
- The figure “could have been much higher if greater efforts had been made to put a final end to this phenomenon“
TUNIS: Tunisian President Kais Saied has called on the International Organization for Migration to accelerate efforts in conducting voluntary returns for irregular migrants to their home countries.
In a statement posted on Facebook late Tuesday, the presidency said that “only 1,544 migrants have been repatriated” since the start of the year.
It said the figure “could have been much higher if greater efforts had been made to put a final end to this phenomenon.”
Tunisia has in recent years become a key departure point in North Africa for migrants making the perilous Mediterranean Sea crossing in hopes of reaching Europe.
Each year, tens of thousands of mainly sub-Saharan African migrants attempt the crossing.
In some areas, Tunisia’s coastline lies less than 150 kilometers (90 miles) from the Italian island of Lampedusa, often their first stop.
However, with mounting European Union efforts to curb migrant arrivals, many migrants find themselves stranded in Tunisia.
The IOM offers free flights to migrants volunteering for return and provides reintegration assistance in their home countries.
Tunisian authorities said 7,250 migrants had been repatriated through the program last year.
So far this year, the IOM says 343 people have died or gone missing attempting the Mediterranean crossing. Last year, 2,476 migrants died or went missing.
Earlier this month, Tunisia’s national guard rescued 612 migrants and recovered 18 bodies off the country’s coast.
About 8,743 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year, a slight increase over the same period last year, according to Italy’s interior ministry.
Norway temporarily shuts South Sudan embassy over security
- South Sudan President Salva Kiir last week sacked the governor of Upper Nile state
- The Norwegian embassy’s work will be carried out from Nairobi
COPENHAGEN: Norway’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday it was temporarily shutting its embassy in South Sudan’s capital Juba due to the deteriorating security situation in the country.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir last week sacked the governor of Upper Nile state, where clashes have escalated between government troops and an ethnic militia he accuses of allying with his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar.
The standoff has heightened concerns that the world’s newest nation could slide back into conflict some seven years after its emergence from a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people.
The Norwegian embassy’s work will be carried out from Kenya’s capital Nairobi until further notice, Norway’s foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that the Juba mission would be reopened when the situation allowed it.
Arab League chief condemns Israeli attack on Syria’s Daraa province
- Ahmed Aboul Gheit urged the UN Security Council to ensure Tel Aviv respects the 1974 disengagement agreement
- Israeli attack on Kuwayya killed at least 6 civilians, say Syrian authorities
LONDON: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has condemned an Israeli attack on the Syrian village of Kuwayya, in Daraa province, in which several people died.
Aboul-Gheit said on Wednesday the Arab League strongly criticized Israeli aggression against Syria, adding it amounted to a serious violation of the country's sovereignty.
He added Israel was attempting to use the transitional period in Syria “to fuel sedition and conflict.”
Aboul Gheit urged the UN Security Council to halt Israeli action against Syria and ensure Tel Aviv respected international law and the 1974 disengagement agreement.
Syrian authorities said on Tuesday the attack on Kuwayya killed at least six civilians.
Israel has continued its bombing campaign in Syria even after the ousting of Bashar Assad, whose rule came to an end last year after a rebel advance forced him to flee to Russia.
Israel PM says opposition fueling ‘anarchy’ with protests
- Thousands of Israelis have taken part in several days of anti-government protests, accusing Netanyahu of resuming strikes in Gaza without regard for hostages
JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday accused the opposition of fueling “anarchy” in Israel, after mass anti-government protests in recent days.
Addressing the opposition during a speech in parliament, Netanyahu said: “You recycle the same worn-out and ridiculous slogans about ‘the end of democracy’. Well, once and for all: Democracy is not in danger, it is the power of the bureaucrats that is in danger.”
“Perhaps you could stop putting spanners in the works of the government in the middle of a war? Perhaps you could stop fueling the sedition, hatred and anarchy in the streets?” he added.
Thousands of Israelis have taken part in several days of anti-government protests, accusing Netanyahu of undermining democracy and resuming strikes in Gaza without regard for hostages.
The demonstrations which erupted last week have been organized by a broad coalition of anti-Netanyahu groups, who called to protest the premier’s move to oust Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet internal security agency.
Israel’s opposition filed an appeal against the move to dismiss Bar, calling it “a decision based on flagrant conflict of interest.”
Netanyahu has pressed ahead with proceedings to sack Bar, a move which the Supreme Court blocked on Friday. The government has also begun proceedings to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who has challenged the legality of some of Netanyahu’s policies.
Following a rally in the commercial hub of Tel Aviv, protesters are due to travel to Jerusalem for an anti-government demonstration outside parliament on Wednesday evening.
Israel resumed intense air strikes across the Gaza Strip last week, followed by ground operations, shattering the relative calm of a January ceasefire with Hamas.
There are 58 hostages still in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead, out of the 251 seized during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023 which triggered the war.
