US officials on Tuesday announced that any requests for additional military advisors in Iraq would considered. The move signals a dramatic departure from President Obama’s stance on keeping ground troops out of Iraq and paves way for an increase to the 1,400 military advisers and diplomatic security personnel currently deployed inside the country.
Senior administration officials said that, based on discussions with the Iraqi officials, the US was looking at additional areas where military advisers could be helpful, and whether there is more they can do in terms of training. Concerns with the Iraqi military’s ability to stop ISIS advances and retake lost territory have escalated in recent weeks with fears that Anbar’s largest airbase, Ain al-Asad, and the Haditha Dam are in danger of falling to the jihadist militant group.
EGYPT | LIBYA | SYRIA | TUNISIA | YEMEN | RELATED ISSUES
SEC commences preparations for parliamentary elections; No cabinet reshuffle
The Supreme Electoral Commission (SEC) decided Wednesday to form provincial committees for the upcoming parliamentary elections in governorates across Egypt. The commission decided that each provincial committee will be headed by the president of the preliminary court of each province. Commission spokesman Medhat Idris said the provincial committees are responsible for accepting membership requests for the elections. They will commence their work after the election dates have been announced by the SEC, which had called on all voters to verify their information on the electoral role to ensure that listed details are correct. In addition, there will be not be a cabinet reshuffle before the parliamentary election, a presidential spokesperson has said. At a meeting with journalists on Tuesday, Alaa Youssef added that the presidency was keen to hold the election as soon as possible. [DNE, Aswat Masriya, Ahram Online, 10/22/2014]
Justice minister defends judiciary, pre-trial detentions to EU rep
Justice Minister Mahfouz Saber claimed Egypt has no prisoners under administrative detention, and that all detainees are being held according to a prosecution order or judicial verdict, during a meeting with the European Union’s special envoy for human rights Stavros Lambrinidis on Tuesday. Lambrinidis has held several meetings with ministers in Egypt during his current visit, which takes place two weeks ahead of Egypt’s periodic review by the Human Rights Council. Lawyers and activists have criticized the prosecution for prolonged pretrial detentions, which have meant the incarceration of hundreds without formal charges or sentencing. There are also concerns the judiciary has been used to target opposition figures. [Mada Masr, 10/22/2014]
Explosion outside Cairo University injures ten
An explosion occurred in the vicinity of Cairo University on Wednesday, leaving 10 injured, reported state television. The blast, which occurred outside the university’s main gate, left four police officers, two conscripts and four citizens injured, state television reported, citing the ministry of interior. A fact-sheet prepared by Egypt’s ministry of foreign affairs put the death toll for terrorism acts which took place since January 2011 and until April 2014 at 971, including 664 security personnel. [Aswat Masriya, AP, 10/22/2014]
Egypt targets budget deficit of 8 percent within five years, says finance minister
The Egyptian government is planning to trim its budget deficit to 8 percent of gross domestic product in five years by restructuring energy subsidies, the country’s finance minister said on Tuesday. Gradual fiscal reforms relating to taxation and controlling ineffective spending on subsidies will also push public debt down to 80-85 percent by the 2016/7 fiscal year, Hany Kadry Dimian said. Budget deficit has grown from 8.1 percent of GDP in 2009/10 to 12.6 percent in the 2013/14 fiscal year which ended in June. The government forecasts a 10 percent deficit in 2014/15, according to the state budget. Economic growth is also slated to reach 6 percent in the “medium term” as “mega-developmental projects” and tax reform will boost economic activity, Dimian said. [Ahram Online, 10/21/2014]
EU foreign affairs council ready to implement UN sanctions
The European Union said it is ready to implement UN sanctions “in order to address threats to Libya’s peace and stability,” following a meeting of its foreign affairs council. Taking into account changes approved at the United Nations, the body amended its restrictive measures. The UN resolution passed in August in light of increased violence in Libya extended sanctions to entities undermining the country’s security, but no sanctions have yet been handed down to any individuals. [Libya Herald, 10/22/2014]
Turkish special envoy to Libya meets with Tripoli-based government
Turkey’s new Special Envoy to Libya, Emrullah Isler, is the latest of international special envoys to visit Libya to assess the situation there. He stopped in Tripoli where he broke with the international community’s refusal to recognize the rival government and met with Omar al-Hassi and his ministers. The move is likely to anger the United Nations and other countries. He also met with Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni and stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue in talks with the House of Representatives. [Libya Herald, 10/21/2014]
Operation Dignity expects Benghazi battles to end in one week
Operation Dignity leaders expect to take complete control of Benghazi within a week where fighting continues since pro-government forces launched their counterattack last week. Meanwhile, senior sources within the army say reinforcements are traveling from the east to bolster Dignity and other government forces in the city. Benghazi’s main hospital is struggling to cope, with as many as seventy-five combatants and civilians brought in for treatment from casualties caused by recent escalated fighting. [Libya Herald, 10/21/2014]
City of Sirte resorts to local security measures in absence of state institutions
Following a number of incidents of theft and vandalism, the local council in Sirte says it is working with local thuwwar—revolutionaries who fought in the 2011 uprising—to ensure that public buildings remain safe and secure. The decision to resort to local-level security was made due to the absence of state institutions and a national security apparatus, according to the council, which is gearing up for celebrations of the anniversary of the city’s “liberation.” Qaddafi was found and killed in Sirte three years ago this week. [Libya Monitor (subscription), 10/22/2014]
US strategy pivots in Kobani as Assad regime claims support for Kurds
Kurdish fighters defending Syria’s border town of Kobani held out against the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS or Islamic State) on Wednesday, anxious for relief as Iraq’s Kurdish parliament was set to vote on sending reinforcements. Kurdish forces have been battling ISIS militants for over month and recent shifts in US policy allowed for the aerial resupply of forces in Kobani amidst claims by the Turkish government that it would open a corridor allowing Kurdish fighters to travel from Iraqi Kurdistan to the Turkish-Syrian border. Officials in Damascus on Wednesday also noted that the Syrian military was actively providing military support to Kurdish fighters in Kobani, though Assad’s regime remains outside the US coalition effort in Syria. [Washington Post, Naharnet, 10/23/2014]
ISIS reportedly seizes coalition-dropped weapons cache
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said ISIS militants seized at least one weapons cache airdropped by US-led coalition forces that were meant to supply Kurdish fighters battling the extremist group. The cache of weapons included hand grenades, ammunition, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, according to a video uploaded by a media group loyal to ISIS. This prompted criticism of the strategy from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said that it was “wrong” of the coalition to drop weapons to the Kurdish fighters. [Al Arabiya, 10/22/2014]
Syrian air force claims to have shot down ISIS jets
Information Minister Omran Zoabi released a statement through Syria’s state news late Tuesday claiming that the Syrian air force had shot down two of three fighter jets belonging to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday that Iraqi pilots trained under former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had joined Islamic State and were conducting training flights in three captured fighter jets at an air base in Aleppo province. US Central Command said Friday it was not aware of ISIS flying jets in Syria and Zoabi’s claim is unverified at present. [Reuters, AFP 10/22/2014]
US, UK authorities apprehend potential ISIS recruits en route to Syria
US officials said on Tuesday that they had arrested three teenage girls from Denver under suspicion of attempting to join ISIS militants in Syria. An FBI spokesman noted that the girls had been returned to their homes in Denver and an investigation into their motives for travel was currently underway. Meanwhile, a twenty-five year old woman was arrested in London on terror-linked charges in the latest series of UK police raids related to the war-torn Middle Eastern country.[Reuters, The National, New York Times, 10/23/2014]
Unemployment, police brutality, economy boosts ISIS recruitment of Tunisian youths
Four years after the Arab Spring revolt, Tunisia has sent more foreign fighters than any other country to Iraq and Syria to join the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS or Islamic State). Tunisian officials noted that at least 2,400 Tunisians have traveled to Syria and Iraq to join ISIS while thousands more have been blocked in the attempt. As parliamentary and presidential elections approach, party leaders have vowed to address rising unemployment, a sluggish economy, and security reform as part of their efforts to combat militant recruitment inside the country. [New York Times, 10/22/2014]
PM, Interior Ministry, ISIE finalize security preparations
Interim Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa on Tuesday said that he is optimistic about the successful conduct of the forthcoming elections, stressing his confidence in all established security measures, but emphasized the need for heightened vigilance. Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou also confirmed the mobilization of 23,000 police officers to help secure polling stations, ballot collection and sorting centers in coordination with the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) and the National Army.[All Africa, TAP,10/22/2014]
Election campaigns continue in six districts
Independent candidates and representatives from at least nine political parties continued their campaign efforts Tuesday visiting six different districts, introducing voters to candidates and presenting their political and economic agendas ahead of the October 26 parliamentary elections. Representatives from Nidaa Tounes, Ettakatol Party, the Ennahda Movement, and the Echaab Movement were active in Sidi Bouzid, Ariana, and Manouba constituencies while candidates from Free Patriotic Union Party (UPL) and the Population Front Movement focused campaign efforts in the Gabes and Kebili constituencies. [TAP, 10/21/2014]
Houthi storm interior ministry, close Undersecretary for Financial Affairs Office
Security sources said that Houthi gunmen stormed offices of the interior ministry in Sana’a and shut down the Office of the Undersecretary for Financial Affairs after expelling its staff. The source said the raid, which took place Wednesday morning, was the result of an ongoing disagreement between the Houthis and the interior ministry over their movements in the country. The Houthis have shut down several government offices in this manner since their occupation of Sana’a in September, offering the explanation that they are aiming to prevent corruption. [Al Masdar (Arabic), 10/22/2014]
Saudis claim Houthis are not at their southern border
The governor of Saudi Arabia’s southern Jazan region claimed that daily affairs in his region were functioning normally, and that there was no Houthi presence along the southern border. He added that “all security agencies are ready to intervene in case of emergency.” This statement is in contrast to reports emerging from Yemen, which have stated that the Houthis exert influence along this border and present a security threat to the Saudis. Last Thursday the Houthis seized control of a checkpoint in Hajah province, as well as the small Red Sea port of Medi and al-Dawayma island, all of which are close to the Saudi border. [Aden al-Ghad (Arabic), 10/22/2014]
Joint Meeting Parties demand equal representation in forming new government
The members of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) have demanded equal representation in the formation of the government under Yemen’s new prime minister. The JMP, whose largest members are the Islah and Yemeni Socialist Parties, threatened not to take part in the formation of the government if the principle of equal representation for all parties was not agreed upon. The JMP said in a statement that its participation in the government was contingent on “the implementation of the national dialogue and peace and partnership agreement outcomes and the supplementing of military security.” [Aden al-Ghad (Arabic), 10/22/2014]
US officials float plans for active troop activity in Iraq, as conflict in Anbar escalates
US officials on Tuesday announced that any requests for additional military advisors in Iraq would considered. The move signals a dramatic departure from President Obama’s stance on keeping ground troops out of Iraq and paves way for an increase to the 1,400 military advisers and diplomatic security personnel currently deployed inside the country. Senior administration officials said that, based on discussions with the Iraqi officials, the US was looking at additional areas where military advisers could be helpful, and whether there is more they can do in terms of training. Concerns with the Iraqi military’s ability to stop ISIS advances and retake lost territory have escalated in recent weeks with fears that Anbar’s largest airbase, Ain al-Asad, and the Haditha Dam are in danger of falling to the jihadist militant group. [Reuters, Jordanian Times, 10/22/2014]
New Iraqi Defense minister vows to retake Mosul, restore confidence in the military
In his first televised speech following his appointment on Saturday, Iraq’s new Defense Minister Khalid Al-Obeidi pledged that Iraqi forces would retake all areas of the country that have been taken over by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS or the Islamic State). The minister noted that fighting corruption within the military’s ranks was essential to establishing a legitimate and capable force able to confront and defeat the ISIS threat. Iraq’s efforts to rebuild its military have been plagued by high-levels of corruption among civil servants and military officers, with many troops existing only on paper and their pay and allowances pocketed by corrupt officials. Graft and theft within the leadership has also hampered efforts to procure weapons, equipment, and supplies with many units reportedly not receiving adequate food, water, and ammunition. [Asharq al-Awsat, 9/22/2014]
Clashes between Palestinian Group, Nusra Front in Bekaa
Clashes erupted between the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) and al-Nusra Front in the Eastern Mountain range along the border with Syria. Local sources reported machine guns, rockets and arms were used during the battles in the Qusaya area in the eastern Bekaa valley, where the PFLP-GC has a military base. This is the first such report on clashes between the Palestinian group and Islamists from al-Nusra Front. [Naharnet, 10/22/2014]
Israel moves to strengthen ties with Jordan amidst regional turmoil
A former Israeli official raised concerns with the region’s growing instability and the expanding threat of the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS or Islamic State) and hinted at an aggressive drive to shore up Israel’s relationship with its easterly neighbor, Jordan. The former official indicated that the concern is that if a change in the regime in Jordan takes place, then Israel’s longest border would be substantially compromised, threatening Israel’s tenuous piece with both Egypt and Jordan. [Reuters, 10/22/2014]