MANAMA: Bahrain has welcomed the decision by the US Department of State to designate individuals affiliated with Al-Ashtar Brigades as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) under Executive Order 13224.
“This stance reflects the position of the friendly United States of America to combat terrorism in all its forms and to confront all those who commit or incite terrorist acts,” Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“This designation is another sign of support to the efforts of the kingdom in achieving peace and security and an important step toward the eradication of all forms of terrorism in the region.”
The ministry said it was looking forward to a similar response “from our international partners.”
“In this regard, the ministry calls for the adoption of a holistic strategy that addresses the security, economic and ideological aspects of terrorism to eradicate its root causes and to drain its funding resources,” the statement said.
“The ministry affirms its confidence in the depth of the historical alliance with the US and its keenness on strengthening these strategic relations in all relevant areas.”
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif Al-Zayani welcomed the US decision, noting that it reflects the US administration’s supportive stance toward Bahrain’s efforts to combat terrorist organizations and terrorist acts aimed at undermining its security and stability.
The decision proves the US administration’s support to the Kingdom’s efforts to clamp down on terrorist organizations seeking to subvert its security and stability and terrorize citizens and residents through their heinous criminal acts, Al-Zayani said.
He lauded the successful efforts of the Bahraini government to expose the campaigns targeting it, stressing that the State Department’s statement reflects the resolve of the US administration to fight terrorist organizations, as well as its clear determination to reinforce security and stability in the region.
Bahrain hails US declaration of Al-Ashtar members as terrorists
Bahrain hails US declaration of Al-Ashtar members as terrorists
‘No good actors’ in Sudan war, says Trump’s Middle East adviser
- Resolving conflict a ‘deeply felt concern’ of US president, Massad Boulos tells UN Security Council
- ‘Today, Sudan faces the biggest and gravest humanitarian catastrophe in the world’
LONDON: A senior adviser to US President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized Sudan’s warring factions as he warned that no military solution could resolve the civil war.
Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser on African, Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, was speaking at a ministerial-level UN Security Council briefing on Sudan.
A UN fact-finding mission has determined that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces’ siege of the city of El-Fasher likely constituted genocide.
Resolving the almost three-year-long war in Sudan is a “deeply felt concern” of Trump, Boulos told the briefing, which was chaired by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
“Under President Trump and Secretary (of State Marco) Rubio’s leadership and close direction, I am helping to spearhead US efforts to achieve peace in Sudan,” he said.
“Today, Sudan faces the biggest and gravest humanitarian catastrophe in the world. After more than 1,000 days of needless conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the toll is staggering.”
In the eyes of the US, “there are no good actors in this conflict,” Boulos said, criticizing both factions for carrying out “serious human rights violations and abuses.”
He highlighted apparent efforts by coordinated Islamist networks to regain political influence in the fractured Sudanese state.
“Let me be clear: Efforts by Islamist networks or any extremist political movement to manipulate this conflict, derail a civilian transition, or reassert authoritarian control will not be tolerated by the US,” Boulos said.
“We will use the tools at our disposal — including sanctions and other measures — to hold accountable those who enable violence, undermine democratic governance, or threaten regional stability.”
His remarks came as the US announced fresh sanctions on RSF commanders, citing their record of “human rights violations, including ethnic killings, torture, starvation tactics and sexual violence.”
The paramilitary figures are now “subject to asset freezes, arms embargoes and travel bans,” Boulos said, adding: “We are working closely with partners in this room — including the United Kingdom, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and several others — to press for an immediate humanitarian truce, and without preconditions.
“Such a truce must guarantee sustained, unhindered humanitarian access across conflict lines and borders.”
He urged the international community to support five pillars of engagement to resolve the crisis: achieving an immediate humanitarian truce; coordinated efforts to ensure sustained humanitarian access; a phased approach for negotiating a permanent ceasefire; a structured political process that leads to a civilian-led transitional government and democratic elections; and a robust reconstruction and recovery effort.
“The US remains committed to working with all of you to end this tragic conflict and to support a peaceful, civilian future for Sudan,” Boulos said.
