Region

Gulf and Red Sea Regions

Stories under this heading cover the Gulf and the Red Sea regions, including the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and the countries bordering the Red Sea.

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Too little, too late, but Arabs hope UNSC resolution dents US-Israel relations

Too little, too late, but Arabs hope UNSC resolution dents US-Israel relations

The situation in Palestine continues to cast a shadow over the Ramadan festivities in the Arabian Peninsula and across the Arab and Moslem worlds. On Monday (26 March), the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) finally adopted resolution 2728, demanding an immediate ceasefire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which started on 10 March, leading to a “lasting sustainable ceasefire”. The resolution, which was put forward by the Council’s elected members, also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and that the parties comply with their obligations under international law in relation to all persons they detain. Resolution 2728 emphasises the need to expand humanitarian assistance and reinforce the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip. It also reiterates the Council’s demand to lift “all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale”. Arab and Muslim governments have generally welcomed the adoption of UNSC resolution 2728. But amongst a wary public in the GCC and beyond, there is widespread frustration and cynicism, and many consider it as being too little, too late. Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, speaking in New York yesterday, reflected this mood, saying it had taken “six months, over 100,000 Palestinians killed and maimed, 2 million displaced, and famine for this Council to finally demand an immediate ceasefire.” Palestinians have been killed “in their homes, in the streets, in hospitals and ambulances, in shelters, and even in tents,” he added. “This must come to an end now. There can be no justification for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.” Acceptance of any justification for such crimes would be a renunciation of humanity and destroy the rule of international law beyond repair, Mansour said.
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More than eight million people displaced in Sudan amid threat of widespread famine as a result of the ongoing conflict

More than eight million people displaced in Sudan amid threat of widespread famine as a result of the ongoing conflict

Sudan is suffering one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history after nearly a year of war, the United Nations has warned. Fighting between the army, headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, since last April has killed tens of thousands of people, as the threat of famine looms amid international inaction. “By all measures – the sheer scale of humanitarian needs, the numbers of people displaced and facing hunger – Sudan is one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory,” Edem Wosornu, director of operations at the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said on Wednesday (20 March). “A humanitarian travesty is playing out in Sudan under a veil of international inattention and inaction,” Wosornu told the UN Security Council on behalf of OCHA head Martin Griffiths. According to the UN, the conflict has led to more than eight million people being displaced. In early March, the Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire during Ramadan and urged better access to humanitarian aid. However, the ceasefire was not realised due to disagreements between the warring sides. More than 18 million Sudanese are facing acute food insecurity – 10 million more than at this time last year – while 730,000 Sudanese children are believed to be suffering from severe malnutrition.

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Oman names its first Crown Prince

Oman names its first Crown Prince

For the first time in the modern time of the Sultanate, Haitham bin Tariq, the Sultan of Oman, introduced amendments on the transfer of power, naming the Sultanate’s first Crown Prince. The new decree came at the first anniversary of Sultan Haitham’s rule. Dhi Yazan bin Haitham bin Tariq, son of the current Sultan, is the first crown prince of the Sultanate of Oman.
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Kuwaiti government resigns after disputes with parliament

Kuwaiti government resigns after disputes with parliament

Kuwait’s Cabinet submitted its resignation on Tuesday after tensions with the Parliament. The move, while not a surprise after some 30 lawmakers backed a no-confidence motion against the government this month, reveals how the country is reacting to diminished public confidence and the worst economic crisis in decades. 
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Opinion
Opinion: Yemen's grim reality

Opinion: Yemen's grim reality

Despite the recent expressions of unity within the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) following the al Ula summit, a unified approach towards Yemen appears unlikely. Continued external interference will exacerbate the political stalemate and add to the suffering of the Yemeni people, argue Mahmoud Shamsan and Noman Ahmed in this op-ed.
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IGAD team held talks with Somalia

IGAD team held talks with Somalia

A fact-finding IGAD team arrived in Gedo, Somalia to hold talks with the government in a bid to end the tensions between Kenya and Somalia. The dispute has now been eased but IGAD is putting pressure on both sides to restore ties. Somalia had in late 2020, cut relations with Kenya over accusations of meddling in local politics for "far too long".
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US Department of State lists Houthis as a foreign terrorist organisation

US Department of State lists Houthis as a foreign terrorist organisation

In a late statement on Sunday night, the US State Department declared the Houthi group in Yemen a terrorist organisation. The State Department also designated Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, Abdul-Khaliq Al-Houthi, and Abdullah Al-Hakim as Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). All three are in high leadership positions within the organisation. 
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Saudi Arabia to build a zero emissions city

Saudi Arabia to build a zero emissions city

Saudi Arabia has pledged to build a car-free, zero-emissions city. The construction of the city, dubbed 'The Line', is the first major step in developing its futuristic NEOM business zone. The construction is set to start within months. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of the city in a televised presentation on Sunday.