MOSCOW: Moscow called on Saturday for dialogue between Qatar and its neighbors in the Gulf, promising help in mediating the crisis, as Russia’s foreign minister met his Qatari counterpart.
“We have observed with concern the news of this escalation,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in opening remarks of his meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Moscow.
“We cannot be happy in a situation when the relations between our partners are worsening. We are in favor of resolving any disagreements through... dialogue.”
Qatar is reaching out for support abroad as it has fallen out with its Arab neighbors, who accuse it of sponsoring extremist groups and resent its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood movement and sponsorship of Al-Jazeera network.
Lavrov said that Russia is “ready to try to do everything in its power” to help resolve the crisis and said unity is needed to fight terrorism.
“For us, unity is clearly necessary for maximum effect on this front (against terrorism),” he said.
Qatar has denounced the allegations against it and Al-Thani during his meeting with Lavrov called the measures against the country “illegal.”
Some reports alleged that Russian hackers helped spark the crisis but Moscow has dismissed this as a “stale claim” with “zero evidence.”
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he has never known Qatar to give support to terror organizations.
While maintaining good relations with the Gulf states, Turkey has vowed to continue to back its close ties with Qatar, which Erdogan again defended on Friday.
“They declare foundations established to provide different services as terror organizations. Something like this should not happen. I know those foundations. Until today I have not witnessed Qatar give support to terror,” Erdogan said in Istanbul.
The Turkish leader called for the “blockade” against Doha to be “completely lifted,” urging Saudi Arabia to show leadership and encourage good relations in the region.
“I have a request to the Saudi administration: you are the biggest in the Gulf, the strongest... not with hostilities, you should be the leader of fraternity there, you should bring everyone together,” Erdogan said.
He also ratified a bill approved by Turkish lawmakers on Wednesday to deploy troops to a Turkish base in Qatar in a move seen as Ankara’s show of support for Doha.
Erdogan defended the action, asking “our friends” in the Gulf: “Why does the American base not discomfort you? There are other countries’ bases too, why doesn’t it discomfort you?”
He was referring to Al-Udeid airbase, America's biggest in the Middle East, which is home to some 10,000 US troops.
It is a crucial hub for US military operations in the Middle East, especially the battle against the Daesh.
Erdogan said Turkey would continue to help Qatar such as exporting food and medicine to them.
“Sorry, but we will continue to give all kinds of support to Qatar,” he said.
Russia calls for dialogue in Qatar crisis
Russia calls for dialogue in Qatar crisis
Turkiye attacking Kurds in northern Syria will be dangerous, Iraqi FM tells Davos
DAVOS: Turkiye attacking Kurdish forces in northern Syria would be dangerous and would create more refugees in neighboring Iraq, said Fuad Hussein, Iraq’s foreign minister, at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday.
Regional leaders discuss key Middle East issues at WEF
DAVOS: During the World Economic Forum, key Middle Eastern leaders addressed pressing regional issues, highlighting the importance of cooperation and political solutions for lasting peace.
Jordan's Foreign Minister, Ayman Al Safadi, emphasized the need for understanding the root causes of conflicts, particularly the October 7 incident, in order to prevent future violence. He reiterated Jordan's commitment to partnering with the US to promote peace in the Middle East.
Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad Hasan Al-Shaibani, voiced concerns about the impact of international sanctions, stating that their removal is crucial for Syria’s development and a better future for its people. He also called for greater support in advancing Syria’s political process.
Iraq's Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, warned that instability in northern Syria could lead to an influx of refugees into Iraq and jeopardize security, particularly with the potential release of thousands of terrorists from prisons in the region. He also expressed concern about the ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, urging both sides to pursue a diplomatic approach.
Jordan’s crown prince meets Bahrain, Kurdistan leaders in Davos
- Crown Prince Hussein seeks to boost cooperation in the region
- Joins session on artificial intelligence, global skills development
DUBAI: Representing King Abdullah at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah held meetings recently with regional leaders to reinforce Jordan’s commitment to fostering cooperation and addressing pressing challenges in the region.
The crown prince met with Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, head of Bahrain’s delegation, to discuss ties between the two nations, according to reports.
Their talks focused on enhancing economic and technological cooperation and advancing training programs to help young people prepare for the workplace.
In addition, they reviewed regional developments, stressing the importance of sustaining the Gaza ceasefire and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In a separate meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the discussions focused on relations between Jordan and Iraq.
The officials also spoke about boosting collaboration, especially in economic and technology fields, and addressing key regional issues.
The crown prince also participated in a session on enhancing the skills and productivity of people in the age of artificial intelligence.
The session addressed the WEF’s 2020 initiative to train 1 billion people globally by 2030, which is aimed at closing skill gaps and preparing workers for rapid technological advancements.
The participants at the 55th WEF, held under the theme “Cooperation for the Smart Age,” include heads of state, global CEOs and entrepreneurs, who have gathered to discuss strategies for growth, investing in people, and managing challenges in the energy sector and beyond.
The crown prince was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, Jordan’s Ambassador to Switzerland Nawaf Al-Tal, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Dr. Zaid Al-Baqain.
Hundreds leave West Bank camp during Israeli raid: Palestinian official
- The Israeli military launched an operation in Jenin on Tuesday, saying it aims to uproot Palestinian militants in the camp and the city.
Jenin: A Palestinian official said hundreds of residents of the occupied West Bank’s Jenin refugee camp were leaving their homes Thursday, days into a large-scale Israeli raid in the area.
“Hundreds of camp residents have begun leaving after the Israeli army, using loudspeakers on drones and military vehicles, ordered them to evacuate the camp,” where Israel’s military launched an intense military operation this week, Jenin governor Kamal Abu Al-Rub told AFP.
The army told AFP that it was “unaware of any evacuation orders for residents in Jenin as of now.”
Salim Saadi, a Jenin resident who lives on the edge of the refugee camp, told AFP that the army had asked camp residents to leave between 9:00 am (0700 GMT) and 5:00 pm.
“There are dozens of camp residents who have begun to leave,” he said.
“The army is in front of my house. They could enter at any moment.”
The Israeli military launched an operation in Jenin on Tuesday, saying it aims to uproot Palestinian militants in the camp and the city.
The offensive began just days after a ceasefire deal paused fighting in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli assault has killed at least 10 Palestinians and injured 40 more, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “Operation Iron Wall,” as it has been dubbed, will “eradicate terrorism” in the West Bank city known as a bastion of Palestinian militancy.
Israeli army says killed two Palestinian militants in West Bank
- The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said Israeli authorities had informed it of the deaths of Nazzal, 25, and Shalabi, 30
Ramallah: The Israeli military said Thursday it killed two Palestinian militants overnight near the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, where a large-scale raid is underway, accusing them of murdering three Israelis.
In a statement, the military said that Israeli forces found the two militants barricaded in a house in the village of Burqin.
“After an exchange of fire, they were eliminated by the forces,” it said, adding one soldier was injured in the exchange.
The military identified those killed as Mohammed Nazzal and Qutaiba Shalabi, accusing them of being “affiliated with Islamic Jihad” and responsible for a deadly shooting on an Israeli bus in early January.
The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said Israeli authorities had informed it of the deaths of Nazzal, 25, and Shalabi, 30.
“The bodies are being withheld” by the army, it added in a statement.
Three Israelis were killed and six injured in a January 6 attack near the village of Al-Funduq, also in the West Bank.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said at the time he had directed the military to “act with force” to find the attackers, vowing on X that “anyone who... enables or supports the murder and harm of Jews will pay a heavy price.”
The night that followed the attack saw several instances of violent altercations with settlers in that part of the West Bank, including in the village of Hajja, whose mayor told AFP it had come under attack.
Violence has surged throughout the occupied West Bank since the Gaza war erupted on October 7, 2023.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 850 Palestinians in the West Bank since the conflict began.
During the same period, at least 29 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli military operations in the territory, according to Israeli official figures.
