Author: Web Desk

“Prepare for the defense of our homeland,” Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said while a senior presidential advisor explained, “We are pursuing all diplomatic options and I think Ethiopia will come to its senses, but we are ready for a war if Abiy [Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed] wants a war.”

A memorandum of understanding between Somaliland and Ethiopia, a landlocked country seeking maritime access, was signed on January 1st. The agreement allegedly gave Ethiopia access to build a port in Somaliland, which the breakaway region of Somaliland would bring it legitimacy as it remains unrecognized internationally, as it was reported that Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland’s independence as per the agreement.

Somalia, which also does not recognize Somaliland as an independent state but as part of Somalia, has declared the agreement void after Mogadishu declared that the deal “caught Somalia by surprise.”

Lacking formal recognition, Somaliland has so far failed to attract investment and has been cu
t off from worldwide financial transactions, which are currently channeled through Mogadishu. In an interview with the Observer, Somaliland’s foreign minister, Essa Kayd, said the port deal with Ethiopia was set to “legitimize our self-determination” and could spark a “domino effect” of other countries recognizing the territory.

It is worth noting that when the Somali president nullified the port deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland, on January 6, he wrote in a post on X that the decision made “With the support of our lawmakers and our people” served as an “illustration of our commitment to safeguard our unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity as per international law.”

Somaliland Defense Minister, Mahmoud Ateye, resigned in protest after finding out from the media about the breakaway state’s agreement with Ethiopia.

SOMALIA, SOMALILAND INK HISTORIC SECURITY COOPERATION AGREEMENT

Somalia’s government reached a comprehensive security cooperation agreement with the breakaway Somaliland region follo
wing years of stalled tensions, as reported by Somalian media on December 30.

Earlier, the leaders of Somalia and Somaliland, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Muse Bihi Abdi respectively, convened a meeting hosted by Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh to restart discussions regarding the political status of the autonomous region situated in northern Somalia.

During these talks, both parties committed to an 8-point agreement, which includes combating organized crime and developing a negotiation roadmap within a 30-day timeframe, as outlined by the Garowe Online news website.

Somaliland has seen relative peace with the central Somali government. However, fighting broke out between Somaliland and pro-Mogadishu groups in February, before tensions were addressed later.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Statement issued by the Islamic Resistance: “In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in Gaza and as reinforcement to their brave and honorable resistance, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of enemy soldiers in the vicinity of Al-Marj site at 10:30 AM on Sunday, January 14, 2024, using missile weapons, achieving a direct hit.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Gaza: The Gaza Strip on Sunday witnessed a surge in violence with dozens of Palestinian deaths as Israeli forces carried out a relentless series of airstrikes, artillery bombardments, and naval attacks across various regions.

Palestinian sources reported the recovery of 50 martyrs from under the rubble following the targeted shelling of a three-story residential building in the densely populated Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City. The majority of the casualties, including the wounded, were swiftly transported to Al-Shifa and Al-Muamalani hospitals in the city.

The neighborhoods of Sabra and Zaytoun also experienced significant losses, with five Palestinians losing their lives and ten others sustaining injuries. Additionally, the artillery and naval forces of the occupying power targeted civilian homes in the Tal Al-Hawa area and Sheikh Ajleen, causing further destruction with a barrage of shells.

The Sawarha region, situated in the heart of the Gaza Strip, witnessed the recovery of three martyrs from under th
e rubble after a residence was deliberately targeted west of the camp. Six more martyrs were retrieved from the camps of Maghazi and Breij, with immediate transportation to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

Further south in the Strip, over 30 Palestinians, including numerous children and women, tragically lost their lives due to airstrikes targeting residential areas in the central and eastern parts of Khan Yunis. The casualties were promptly transported to the European and Kamal Nasser hospitals.

Rafah city, in the southern part of the Strip, also bore witness to a devastating toll, with at least 23 Palestinians losing their lives. This occurred as two houses in the city center and a vehicle on the western road were specifically targeted. Many of the victims were displaced persons, and they were transported to Abu Yousef Al-Najjar and Al-Kuwaiti hospitals.

The ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has now persisted for a staggering 100 days, resulting in a grim tally of approximately 2
3,843 martyrs, 60,317 injuries, and over 7,000 individuals reported missing. The collateral damage extends beyond the human cost, with widespread destruction of homes and vital infrastructure, according to the latest reports from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Source: Jordan News Agency

National News Agency correspondent reported that the Israeli enemy’s raid on the vicinity of the southern town of Mlikh led to damaging the high-voltage line of the Electricité du Liban Company, which caused a power outage in the entire Jezzine area, adding that a maintenance unit is working to fix it.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Amman: Airport International Group (AIG), the Jordanian company overseeing the rehabilitation, expansion, and operation of Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), has officially appointed Nicolas Deviller as its new CEO, effective as of Sunday.

In a statement, the Group highlighted Deviller’s extensive 20-year experience in the airport sector. His previous role as the executive director of international development for infrastructure projects at Vinci Airports for 12 years showcased his leadership in overseeing major projects, including Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, and Sihanoukville International Airport. Deviller’s tenure at Vinci Airports also saw him appointed as the Executive Director of Route Operations for International Activities.

In 2016, Deviller joined Groupe ADP as the Executive Vice President of Ravinala Airports, where he managed operations at two significant airports in Madagascar for three years. Subsequently, in 2019, he served as a member of the board
of directors and various executive committees at key subsidiaries within the Groupe ADP portfolio, including TAv Airports (15 airports), Liege Airport, and New York Stewart International Airport.

Deviller stated that he looks forward to contributing to the continued development of the QAIA and strengthening its position as a regionally competitive and climate-friendly airport. “Our unwavering focus will remain on providing exceptional services to passengers, creating a hospitable airport experience that makes them feel at home.”

He added, “With ambitious plans on the horizon and achievements to be realized, I am confident that, together with relevant government agencies, as well as our dedicated employees, partners, and shareholders, we will bolster QAIA’s standing as the primary air gateway of Jordan to the world.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

Speaking at the Al-Aqsa Flood and Awakening of Human Conscience conference on Sunday, held by the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that the Palestinian cause evolved into the most prominent humanitarian issue today and remains a top priority within the collective consciousness of both people and governments.

He added that “the Palestinian people have been resilient and steadfast against the Zionist occupation from the beginning,” affirming that “the end of the Zionist entity is inevitable.”

Raisi highlighted the ineffectiveness of normalization and peace talks, such as “Camp David, Sharm El Sheikh, and Oslo.” He emphasized that the underlying issue at hand is global hegemony, stating that hegemony cannot be relied upon due to its failure to uphold commitments.

The Iranian President reaffirmed his country’s dedication to “sustaining support for the people of Gaza and the resistance factions that have advanced their military capabilities, employin
g sophisticated missiles and drones.”

Raisi emphasized that the Palestinian people with their determination and strong will, “have shifted their struggle from resistance with stones to resistance with missiles, relying on themselves,” voicing his belief that “the sacrifices of the Palestinians have unveiled the hypocrisy and deceit in which the United States, Britain, and France are entangled.”

Faith in Palestinian people strengthened Resistance’s resilience

The Iranian president pointed out that the Zionist entity is backed by a hegemonic global system, stressing that “this entity is a field for global arrogance.” He also emphasized that “the world today is well aware that the Palestinian struggle has exposed global hypocrisy and revealed the true face of the United States and some Western countries.”

There is a duty to preserve the awakening of human conscience, he said, and speak of the injustice the Palestinians are facing, “The United States represents the epitome of global evil and serves as the pri
mary defender of the Zionist entity, which is responsible for the death of thousands of children.”

According to him, having faith in the Palestinian people and their capabilities is what has strengthened Palestinian resilience and resistance to this day, and “our duty is to support this resilience,” yet “if the equations between Islamic countries and the Zionist entity were different, we would not have witnessed all these crimes today.”

NORMALIZERS MISTAKEN

Raisi delved into the matter of normalization with “Israel,” underscoring that those who pursued this path believed it would bolster security. Nevertheless, today the reality has unfolded, “validating our repeated warnings that normalization with the Zionist entity fails to ensure regional security”.

The Iranian President allocated responsibility for the injustice in Palestine to Islamic countries that normalized relations with the Zionist entity, emphasizing that “Zionist crimes don’t only demonstrate injustice against the Palestinians but are also an
assault on humanity.”

Regarding the lawsuit filed by South Africa with the International Court of Justiceagainst the genocide committed by “Israel” against Palestinians in Gaza, the Iranian President expressed hope that the International Court of Justice would make a responsible decision.

Raisi pointed out that “all international forums, from the Arab League to the United Nations, have not fulfilled their responsibilities regarding what is happening in Gaza”, expressing hope that they could carry out their duties away from American pressure.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Occupied Jerusalem: A group of extremist Jewish settlers forcefully entered the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Jerusalem on Sunday morning. The intrusion was marked by heightened tensions and a strong police presence.

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem, in a press release, reported that dozens of extremist settlers breached Al-Magharibah Gate under the protection of Israeli occupation police. Their entry into Al-Aqsa was met with strict security measures as they conducted tours within the mosque’s courtyards, engaging in provocative Talmudic rituals. The incident sparked a state of anger at the holy site.

Additionally, Israeli police stationed at the entrances of the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque took measures to prohibit Jerusalemite citizens from entering the premises. This restrictive action resulted in a notable decline in the number of worshippers attending prayers for the 100th consecutive day.

Source: Jordan News Agency