Iraqi security forces have gained full control over a contested area south of the country’s largest oil refinery Friday as part of ongoing operations to secure the rest of Salahuddin province following the recapturing of Tikrit. General Ayad al-Lahabi, a commander with the Salahuddin Command Center, said the military, backed by coalition airstrikes and Shia and Sunni militias, gained control of the towns of al-Malha and al-Mazraah, located 1.9 miles south of the Baiji oil refinery, killing at least 160 militants with the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL). In Iraq’s western Anbar province, Iraqi special forces maintained control of the provincial capital, Ramadi, after days of intense clashes with ISIS. Sabah Nuaman, a special forces commander in Anbar, said the situation had improved early Friday after airstrikes hit key militant targets on the city’s fringes.[WSJ, AP, 4/17/2015]
EGYPT | LIBYA & THE MAGHREB | SYRIA & ITS NEIGHBORS | YEMEN & THE GULF | ECONOMICS
Sisi speaks on terrorism, Yemen crisis, and parliamentary elections
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi visited Cairo’s military academy on Friday, days after a bomb attack killed two army cadets in the northern governorate of Kafr al-Sheikh. In his speech, Sisi said that the number of terrorist attacks, which he said had increased recently, were “cowardly acts” and that those who led the operation have no other means at their disposal. Sisi also spoke about military operations in Yemen, denying media reports that Egypt had dispatched ground troops to support the Saudi-led Decisive Storm campaign which has been targeting Houthi rebels since May. Sisi said that Egypt had only deployed air and naval forces to the conflict. Should the state send any other forces, it will be made public. Sisi also stressed Egypt’s keenness for a political solution in Yemen. [Ahram Online, Aswat Masriya, SIS, 4/17/2015]
Congressional human rights commission to hold hearing on Egypt
In a letter sent to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on Wednesday, Representative Keith Ellison requested a hearing on human rights violations in Egypt. In the letter, Ellison writes, “While there are many areas of the world that require the attention of the Lantos Commission, reports of alarming abuses indicate that few are as urgent and crucial as the case of Egypt.” Ellison points to human rights abuses in Egypt both before and after the overthrow of former President Mohamed Morsi, including extrajudicial killings, unlawful detentions of protesters and journalist, and a lack of freedom of press. “A hearing on Egypt’s human rights abuses is timely and relevant to inform US policy making,” Ellison adds. Ellison later tweeted, “The US lifted weapons freeze, but human rights violations in Egypt keep getting worse. In response, the Human Rights Commission tweeted that a hearing will be held in July. The US State Department has announced that Secretary of State John Kerry will present the 2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which covers the status of human rights concerns on April 20, 2015. [POMED, 4/16/2015]
Qatar will never relinquish support for Egypt says Qatari Foreign Minister
Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid Bin Mohamed al-Attiyah has vowed that the Gulf state will never “relinquish its duties towards Egypt” in an interview with London-based daily al-Sharq al-Awsat. “Relations between Qatar and Egypt have not changed; Egypt is an important country in the Arab world, and we have always believed that Egypt should be strong,” al-Attiyah said. During the interview, al-Attiyah stressed that any harm that affects Egypt would affect the whole Arab region, and for that reason “Qatar has not never abandoned its duties towards Egypt, not since the January 25 Revolution and not even after Egypt’s [President Abdel Fattah] al-Sisi took office in July 2014.” [Ahram Online, 4/17/2015]
Hellenistic-era ruins demolished in Alexandria
The Antiquities Ministry’s decision to demolish a Hellenistic-era archaeological site in Alexandria was carried out on Thursday, destroying the ancient ruins and leveling the area into a flat lot. The site of al-Abd Theater in Camp Shizar, which was discovered in 2013, dates back to the Roman and Hellenistic eras 323 BC and lies in a residential neighborhood just a block inland from the Mediterranean coast. The Facebook group Egypt’s Heritage Task Force, who campaigned unsuccessfully to save the site, claimed the Antiquities Ministry was ceding the land over to a contractor to build on the lot. Alexandria Antiquities Director Mostafa Roshdy said the site was demolished after residents complained it threatened the architectural stability of the adjacent buildings. “The technical report said the depth of the excavations threaten the surrounding buildings and recommended to close the site,” he said. [Egypt Independent, 4/16/2015]
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Italian navy takes back fishing boat seized near Libya
The Italian navy took back control of a Sicilian fishing boat that had been seized overnight by armed assailants near the Libyan coast. The navy said armed men, apparently Libyan security forces, traveling on a tugboat around ninety kilometers northwest of the Libyan port of Misrata, had seized the fishing boat. It is unclear what precisely occurred, but Libyan security forces have stopped such boats in the past due to disputes over fishing territories. It was not clear if shots were fired and there were no reports of injuries. [Reuters, AP, 4/17/2015]
PM Thinni says Moscow visit a success; US officials urge House to form unity government
Prime Minister of the Tobruk government Abdullah al-Thinni said that his visit to Moscow was a success since Russia had expressed its preparedness to cooperate and help Libya during this critical period it was going through. He revealed that he discussed with the Russian Interior Minister the possibility of training the police in crime prevention, criminal investigation, and anti-terrorism. He also accused the West of double standards between the situation in Yemen and Libya with what he called two differing definitions of democracy. Meanwhile, US officials are urging a visiting delegation from the Tobruk-based House of Representatives to stick with the UN-brokered dialogue process and work toward the formation of a national unity government. [Libya Herald, 4/17/2015]
China offers training as Libya seeks Beijing’s support in lifting arms embargo
China says it will train 150 Libyan police officers and provide substantial food and medical aid to Libya. The offer was made following a meeting between Deputy Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Sagheer and his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Ming, on the sidelines of the 54th Annual Session of the Asian African Legal Consultative Organization in Beijing. They discussed ways the international community could support the Tobruk government in fighting terrorism. Ming re-stated Beijing’s support for the legitimacy of the House of Representatives and Abdullah al-Thinni’s government, but pointed out that China believes the ultimate solution for Libya is political reconciliation. [Libya Herald, 4/16/2015]
Tunisia finds weapons, arrests jihadist with explosive belt; Libyan border protection a priority
Tunisian security forces said that troops have captured a large arms cache including Kalashnikov rifles, grenades, and explosives. The weapons were found during a raid to arrest a suspected individual found with an explosive belt in Sidi Bouzid. The Tunisian Defense Minister stated that security along the Tunisia-Libya border is a top priority and they have set up checkpoints, as well as installed barricades to reduce smuggling, trafficking, and terrorist infiltration. [Reuters, All Africa, 4/16/2015]
Tunisian blogger Yassine Ayari released
Blogger Yassine Ayari was set for release on Wednesday night after spending more than half of his six-month prison sentence. Ayari, a Tunisian blogger who lived in France, was arrested in December for defaming military officials through Facebook posts. The sentence was commuted to six months after appeal. Human Rights Watch has highlighted Ayari’s case as an example for why Tunisia needs legal reforms enacted to protect free speech and give fair trials. [Tunisia Live, 4/16/2015]
Assad blames Turkey for in Idlib takeover and failure of Aleppo truce plan
Syrian President Bashar Assad has blamed Turkey for the fall of Syria’s northwestern city of Idlib last month to Islamic fighters and rebels, saying Ankara provided “huge support” — logistic and military — that played the key role in the defeat of his forces. In the interview, Assad denies claims that his air force carried out chemical attacks in Idlib province. Assad also accused Turkey of torpedoing a UN plan for a ceasefire with rebels in Aleppo. “The Turks told the factions—the terrorists that they support and supervise—to refuse to cooperate with [UN’s special envoy to Syria] Staffan De Mistura.” Assad’s remarks came in an interview published Friday in the Swedish daily Expressen. The interview was also published by Syria’s state news agency SANA.[AFP, Reuters, AP, 4/17/2015]
Iraqi forces recapture towns from ISIS
Iraqi security forces have gained full control over a contested area south of the country’s largest oil refinery Friday as part of ongoing operations to secure the rest of Salahuddin province following the recapturing of Tikrit. General Ayad al-Lahabi, a commander with the Salahuddin Command Center, said the military, backed by coalition airstrikes and Shia and Sunni militias, gained control of the towns of al-Malha and al-Mazraah, located 1.9 miles south of the Baiji oil refinery, killing at least 160 militants with the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL). In Iraq’s western Anbar province, Iraqi special forces maintained control of the provincial capital, Ramadi, after days of intense clashes with ISIS. Sabah Nuaman, a special forces commander in Anbar, said the situation had improved early Friday after airstrikes hit key militant targets on the city’s fringes.[WSJ, AP, 4/17/2015]
Iraqi Prime Minister softens tone about Saudi Arabia
One day after he sharply criticized Saudi Arabia’s military intervention in Yemen, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Thursday said that he still wanted to maintain good ties with the Saudis and hoped that they would open an embassy in Baghdad soon. “The embassy compound is ready and renovated,” Abadi said, “and I hope the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iraq is going to be restored as soon as possible.” Abadi acknowledged his differences with the Saudis but his remarks were less pointed than those he made on Wednesday, when he said there was “no logic” to the Saudi airstrikes in Yemen. [NY Times, 4/17/2015]
Confusion over reported ISIS withdrawal from Yarmouk refugee camp
There have been conflicting reports emerging regarding the withdrawal of ISIS from the Yarmouk camp. with some reports saying the extremist group and others continue to hold parts of the camp. Rami Abdulrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said fighters from ISIS had withdrawn to al-Hajjar Al-Aswad—from where they had launched their initial attack on the camp. He added that ISIS and the Nusra Front continue to hold up to eighty percent of the camp. Other reports suggest the Nusra Front is now the main extremist group with a presence in the camp. [Asharq al-Awsat, 4/17/2015]
Al-Qaeda seizes airport and oil terminals in Yemen
Military officials and residents said al-Qaeda fighters clashed briefly with members of one of Yemen’s largest brigades outside Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt province, which the militants overran earlier this month. The militants then seized control of Riyan airport and moved to secure their hold on the city’s main seaport, which is also an oil terminal. The al-Qaeda affiliate has strengthened its hold on Mukalla, negotiating the formation of a fifty-one member local council to act as nominal administrators of the provincial capital, a local politician. Local tribal leaders approved the council only to avoid bloodshed and that non-religious parties were kept out of the council. [AP, Al Jazeera, 4/16/2015]
UN expected to nominate new Yemen envoy today
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday is expected to nominate the head of the UN Ebola mission as the new special envoy to Yemen. Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed of Mauritania is the only candidate for the post after Jamal Benomar on Wednesday announced his intention to step down. Ban is expected to nominate Ahmed in a letter to the current Security Council president. The council must approve the nomination to make it official. Benomar came under criticism from some in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia. “He had started to promote the Houthis, and we cannot accept that,” Alyemany said Thursday. “He started really ignoring the government and ignoring the president.” The ambassador said he doesn’t see any objection to Ahmed from the collection of Gulf countries that had pressed for Benomar’s departure. [AP, Al Jazeera, 4/17/2015]
Former President Saleh says he will not leave Yemen
Former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh said he would not leave the country in a post on his official Facebook page on Friday, contradicting reports in the Gulf Arab media that he sought a safe exit. “I’m not the type who goes looking for a place to live in Jeddah, Paris, or Europe. My country is my birthplace. The person who can say to Ali Abdullah Saleh ‘leave your country’ has not been and will not be born,” he wrote. [Reuters, 4/17/2015]
Bahrain denies reports of human rights abuses
The Bahraini government said in a statement that the report released by Amnesty International early Thursday, had “significant shortcomings” and did not reflect important clarifications provided by authorities. Bahrain also said the report glosses over “highly significant strides” the government has taken to enact institutional and legal reforms over the past four years. Bahraini authorities accused Amnesty of misrepresenting the country’s stance on the freedoms of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly. Amnesty’s report came out ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix. The Formula One race is the nation’s premier annual sporting event, and a chance for Bahrain to promote itself on the world stage. [AP, BNA, 4/17/2015]
Iraqi prime minister says committed to reforms to attract business
Iraq is committed to making difficult reforms to attract much needed investment, including reducing hurdles for business and attacking corruption, Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said at a Washington forum. Abadi and other senior Iraqi officials are seeking weapons and aid from the United States and international organizations as they fight militants from the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) while facing a $25 billion budget deficit. According to Abadi, reforms so far include easing visa requirements for investors, reducing registration procedures for new businesses, and granting greater authority to local governments. Meanwhile, ISIS militants clashed with security forces inside Iraq’s Baiji refinery on Thursday and held on to recent gains in the west of the country. [Reuters, 4/16/2015]
Saudi exchange to permit trading by foreign investors
Saudi Arabia will open its $530 billion stock market to foreign investments on June 15, a long-awaited move that will give international investors direct access to the Middle East’s biggest economy. Last year, Saudi officials revealed plans to allow direct foreign investment in Saudi-listed entities, which would help the kingdom attract hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign cash as it pushes to diversify its economy by boosting the private sector. Previously, foreign investors outside of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have been limited to buying Saudi shares indirectly through swaps or exchange-traded funds. [Al Arabiya, WSJ, 4/16/2015]
Egypt joins China-based infrastructure bank, hopes for funds
Egypt has been approved as a founding member of the Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), opening the way for it to benefit from the bank’s $50 billion in funds, the foreign ministry said. Britain, Germany, France and Italy are also among the fifty-seven founders of the bank, despite scepticism about it in Washington and Tokyo. The Egyptian foreign ministry said its access to the bank will provide it with funding opportunities to finance development and infrastructure projects. The new multinational lender is seen as a rival to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. [AFP, 4/16/2015]