ֱ

Presidents of Congo and Rwanda meet in Qatar to discuss insurgency in eastern Congo

Presidents of Congo and Rwanda meet in Qatar to discuss insurgency in eastern Congo
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani during a meeting with Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame in Doha, Mar. 18, 2025. (QNA)
Short Url
Updated 18 March 2025

Presidents of Congo and Rwanda meet in Qatar to discuss insurgency in eastern Congo

Presidents of Congo and Rwanda meet in Qatar to discuss insurgency in eastern Congo
  • Congo and Rwanda reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire on Tuesday
  • Peace talks between the two countries were unexpectedly canceled in December

DAKAR: The presidents of Congo and neighboring Rwanda met Tuesday in Qatar for their first direct talks since Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized two major cities in mineral-rich eastern Congo earlier this year, the three governments said.
The meeting between Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame to discuss the insurgency was mediated by Qatar, the three governments said in a joint statement.
The summit came as a previous attempt to bring Congo’s government and M23 leaders together for ceasefire negotiations on Tuesday failed. The rebels pulled out Monday after the European Union announced sanctions on rebel leaders.
Congo and Rwanda reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire during the meeting in Qatar on Tuesday.
Peace talks between Congo and Rwanda were unexpectedly canceled in December after Rwanda made the signing of a peace agreement conditional on a direct dialogue between Congo and the M23 rebels, which Congo refused at the time.
The conflict in eastern Congo escalated in January when the Rwanda-backed rebels advanced and seized the strategic city of Goma, followed by Bukavu in February.
M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has created one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced.
The rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to UN experts, and at times have vowed to march as far as Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) to the east.
The UN Human Rights Council last month launched a commission to investigate atrocities, including allegations of rape and killing akin to “summary executions” by both sides.


Iran security chief vows continued ‘support’ for Lebanon

Iran security chief vows continued ‘support’ for Lebanon
Updated 12 sec ago

Iran security chief vows continued ‘support’ for Lebanon

Iran security chief vows continued ‘support’ for Lebanon
  • Ali Larijani’s trip to Lebanon comes after Iran expressed opposition to a government plan to disarm Hezbollah
  • In Lebanon, Larijani is scheduled to meet President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as parliament speaker Nabih Berri
BEIRUT: Iran’s top security chief vowed in Lebanon on Wednesday that his government would continue to provide support, after the Lebanese government ordered the army to devise a plan to disarm Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Ali Larijani’s trip to Lebanon comes after Iran expressed opposition to a government plan to disarm Hezbollah, which before a war with Israel last year was believed to be better armed than the Lebanese military.
“If... the Lebanese people are suffering, we in Iran will also feel this pain and we will stand by the dear people of Lebanon in all circumstances,” Larijani, the head of the National Security Council, told reporters after landing in Beirut.
Dozens of Hezbollah supporters gathered along the airport road to welcome Larijani. He briefly stepped out of his car to greet them as they chanted slogans of support.
In Lebanon, Larijani is scheduled to meet President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who is close to Hezbollah.
Iran has suffered a series of blows in its long-running rivalry with Israel, including during 12 days of open war between the two countries in June.
Hezbollah’s grip on power has slipped since a war with Israel ended in a November 2024 ceasefire and the new Lebanese government, backed by the United States, has moved to further restrain it.
Hezbollah is part of Iran’s so-called “axis of resistance” — a network of armed groups in the region, including Hamas in Gaza and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, united in their opposition to Israel.
The ouster in December of Bashar Assad in Syria, which long served as a conduit for weapons deliveries between Iran and Hezbollah, cut off the supply route to Lebanon.

Turkish Foreign Minister: Israel is working to stir chaos in Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister: Israel is working to stir chaos in Syria
Updated 19 min 37 sec ago

Turkish Foreign Minister: Israel is working to stir chaos in Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister: Israel is working to stir chaos in Syria

DUBAI: Turkish Foreign Minister said Syria is heading toward stability and developing constructive international relations on Wednesday. 

"Israel is working to stir chaos in Syria," he added.


Jordan authorities seize half a million Captagon pills in smuggling attempt 

Jordan authorities seize half a million Captagon pills in smuggling attempt 
Updated 25 min 19 sec ago

Jordan authorities seize half a million Captagon pills in smuggling attempt 

Jordan authorities seize half a million Captagon pills in smuggling attempt 

CAIRO: Jordanian Customs and the anti-narcotics department foiled an attempt to smuggle a total of 517,000 Captagon pills into the country, according to Petra News Agency. 

The Karameh Customs Center said Wednesday the seized drugs were professionally hidden inside metal trays that seemed to be designed specifically for the purpose of smuggling. 

The drugs were carried inside a truck arriving from a neighboring country, it added.     

At dawn, the Jordanian military also thwarted another drug smuggling attempt in which smugglers loaded balloons with drugs and controlled them using primitive devices. The seized items were transferred to the competent authorities.


Iraq defends border security pact with Iran despite US opposition 

Iraq defends border security pact with Iran despite US opposition 
Updated 8 min 5 sec ago

Iraq defends border security pact with Iran despite US opposition 

Iraq defends border security pact with Iran despite US opposition 
  • The remarks come in the wake of a new security pact signed between Iraq and Iran in Baghdad
  • While deepening ties with Tehran, the Iraqi government is also under intensifying US pressure

WASHINGTON: The Iraqi Embassy in Washington reiterated on Wednesday Baghdad’s right to independently conclude agreements with any party asserting the country’s full sovereignty despite US criticism. 
The embassy said Iraq “has the right to enter into agreements in accordance with its constitution and national laws, in a manner consistent with its supreme interests,”according to Iraqi News Agency (INA).  
It emphasized that Iraq’s decisions are rooted in its “independent national will” and that the country “is not subordinate to the policies of any other state.”
The remarks come in the wake of a new security pact signed between Iraq and Iran in Baghdad earlier this week, aimed at tightening coordination along their shared border.
However, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce commented on the memorandum, saying: “We support genuine Iraqi sovereignty, not legislation that would turn Iraq into a client state of Iran.”
The agreement, reached during the visit of Iranian top security official Ali Larijani, builds on a March 2023 deal to enhance security in Iraq’s Kurdish region, which Tehran accuses of harboring armed opposition groups.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who oversaw the signing, framed the pact as part of broader cooperation to secure both countries’ frontiers and promote regional stability. 
Iraqi officials say the measures are intended to curb cross-border infiltration by Iranian Kurdish groups accused by Tehran of fomenting unrest.
The timing of the agreement underscores the complex balancing act facing Baghdad. While deepening ties with Tehran, the Iraqi government is also under intensifying US pressure to rein in pro-Iran militias.


Houthi drones target Israel amid Gaza tensions, attack fails

Houthi drones target Israel amid Gaza tensions, attack fails
Updated 13 August 2025

Houthi drones target Israel amid Gaza tensions, attack fails

Houthi drones target Israel amid Gaza tensions, attack fails

DUBAI: The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility for launching six drones toward Israel on Tuesday evening, targeting Haifa, the Negev Desert, Eilat, and Beersheba.

The Israeli military said at least one drone was intercepted off the coast of Eilat, while the others likely fell short. No damage or casualties were reported.

Though the attack failed, it highlights the Houthis’ continued efforts to project force beyond Yemen amid regional tensions linked to the Gaza conflict.