Jordan executed al-Qaeda affiliated Iraqi female suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi and Ziad al-Karbouley before dawn Wednesday, just hours after an online video purported to show Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) militants burning a captured Jordanian pilot to death in a cage.
It remains unclear when the pilot was killed, but the timing of the video’s release was likely chosen to coincide with the visit of King Abdullah to Washington. The father of the Jordanian fighter pilot has demanded a harsh and swift revenge for his son’s murder adding that that the execution of two al-Qaeda-linked prisoners was not sufficient. The Syrian regime has condemned the pilot’s execution and urged Jordan to work with Damascus to fight ISIS and the Nusra Front. Meanwhile, US officials hope that the killing of the pilot will harden Jordan’s position as a member of the US-led coalition against ISIS. The Kurdish Democratic Union Party offered its condolences to Jordan and threatened “to take revenge on [ISIS] on behalf of the martyr [Moaz] al-Kasassbeh.” [Annahar, al-Akhbar English, Naharnet, Al-Arabiya, WSJ, Asharq al-Awsat, The National, 2/4/2015]
EGYPT | LIBYA & THE MAGHREB | SYRIA & ITS NEIGHBORS | YEMEN & THE GULF | ECONOMICS
Egypt, United States discuss regional security
Egyptian Defense Minister Sedki Sobhi discussed regional security and terrorism with United States Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel over the phone on Tuesday evening. A readout of the phone call provided by the US Department of Defense said the top defense officials spoke to “exchange information about the security environment” in the region. “The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continuing a strong security partnership between the United States and Egypt,” the readout stated. [Aswat Masriya, 2/3/2015]
Egyptian embassy in US criticizes Washington Post over Sisi coverage
The Egyptian Embassy in the United States criticized a Washington Post editorial article calling it biased and insensitive with misguided views on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. In a letter submitted by the embassy to the Washington Post on Tuesday, the Egyptian ambassador accused the newspaper of toeing the Muslim Brotherhood line. It added that the article promoted the “polished English of Muslim Brotherhood propagandists, while muting attention to that organization’s Arabic messages, which drive extreme Islamist rhetoric and call for bloodshed, martyrdom, and terror.” The newspaper was also accused of allegedly absolving the Muslim Brotherhood of their crimes. [DNE, 2/4/2015]
Leading Egypt activist Ahmed Douma sentenced to life
An Egyptian court sentenced 230 people, including Ahmed Douma, a leading secular activist behind the country’s 2011 uprising, to life in prison after finding them guilty on Wednesday of taking part in the Cabinet Clashes between protesters and security forces. Douma smiled and applauded the verdict, prompting the judge to threaten with sentencing him to “three more years in prison.” All defendants were also ordered to pay a 17 million Egyptian pound fine for vandalism. Thirty-nine other defendants, all minors, were sentenced to ten years in prison. Douma, however, was the only defendant present in court, with the rest tried in absentia. Douma is already serving a three-year sentence for breaking the protest law and a three-year sentence issued by the same judge for contempt of court. Osama al-Mahdy, one of the lawyers representing Douma, said that they would appeal the verdict as soon as its details are released. [AP, Reuters, Aswat Masriya, Mada Masr, DNE, Ahram Online, 2/4/2015]
Strong Egypt to boycott parliamentary elections
The Strong Egypt party, headed by Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, announced on Wednesday its decision to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections due to be held in March. The party cited the absence of a democratic competitive environment, a lack of confidence in the judicial system, a repressive security apparatus, and a regression in public and private freedoms in Egypt, as among the reasons for its decision. The Popular Current, previously headed by Hamdeen Sabbahi, also announced its decision to boycott the elections is final. Youssry Hamed, Vice President of the Salafi Watan Party, said that the party has not made a final decision regarding participation in the elections The Parliamentary Elections Observatory affiliated with the joint international-local mission has already received reports citing multiple electoral violations in 232 electoral constituencies, including early campaigning and bribes. In related news, the High Electoral Committee announced its decision to extend the period during which international civil society organizations can apply to monitor elections. The HEC has also said that parliamentary candidates must conduct medical examinations. [Daily News Egypt, Shorouk (Arabic), 2/4/2015]
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Four possibly killed in Libya oilfield attack; Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade again attacked
Gunmen linked to Islamist militants stormed and took control of the al-Mabruk oilfield, while killing at least four employees in the process. The French oil company Total has a stake in the oilfield and contracts out operations to a Libyan company. Total said that it removed all staff in July 2014 and no french nationals are among the dead. There was no oil production occurring at the time of the attack due to restricted export capacity at terminals along the coast. Members of the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) have claimed another attack on a Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade building. This follows yesterday’s car bomb attack outside the group’s headquarters. [Reuters, Yahoo, Libya Herald, 2/4/2015]
Haftar named head of Libyan army
There are conflicting reports that President of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives Ageela Saleh Gwaider has named General Khalifa Haftar as Commander of the Libyan Armed Forces and promoted from Major General to Colonel General. The move comes amid reports of a growing rift between Haftar’s Operation Dignity and the government of Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni. It also follows a demand from Operation Dignity that the House create a military council to control all military matters, with Haftar as chief. The creation of a purely military council will effectively make the post of defense minister, held by al-Thinni, redundant. However, the chairman of the House’s defense and national security committee denied that the subject had been discussed in the HoR at its meeting on Monday, nor was it on the agenda for the next meeting. He also denied the alleged promotion and talks of a new military council. [Libya Herald, 2/3/2015]
UN and GNC agree on new round of talks; Makhzoum pulls out of Dialogue
The Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC) announced it reached a preliminary agreement with the UN Special Envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon on its participation in the new round of negotiations to be held in Libya. A GNC spokesman said that four representatives will meet with four of their counterparts from the Tobruk-based House of Representatives. However, they will need to replace Deputy President of the GNC Salah Makhzoum, who has resigned from the four-man team. [Libya Monitor (subscription), Libya Herald, 2/4/2015]
Egypt to begin training Libyan soldiers soon
The head of security at the Tobruk-based House of Representatives said that the Egypt will begin training the Libyan armed forces soon. The training is part of a counterterrorism agreement between Libya and Egypt. An official said that the training would be part of the two countries’ joint war on terror and that “only Egypt has supported Libya in its war against terrorist groups.” It is unclear how many Libyans will participate and when the training will take place. [Libya Monitor (subscription), 2/4/2015]
Beji Caid Essebsi Appoints His Official Representative Minister
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has appointed Lazhar Karoui Chebbi as his official representative minister. Chebbi is a member of Essebsi’s Nidaa Tounes party and was previously the minister of justice during the interim Ghannouchi government. There is debate on whether the appointment is constitutional, as article 83 stipulates the president can delegate his power only to the prime minister and does not specifically discuss nominating a representative minister. [Tunisia Live, 2/3/20215]
Jordan hangs two Iraqi terrorists in response to pilot’s death
Jordan executed al-Qaeda affiliated Iraqi female suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi and Ziad al-Karbouley before dawn Wednesday, just hours after an online video purported to show Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) militants burning a captured Jordanian pilot to death in a cage. It remains unclear when the pilot was killed, but the timing of the video’s release was likely chosen to coincide with the visit of King Abdullah to Washington. The father of the Jordanian fighter pilot has demanded a harsh and swift revenge for his son’s murder adding that that the execution of two al-Qaeda-linked prisoners was not sufficient. The Syrian regime has condemned the pilot’s execution and urged Jordan to work with Damascus to fight ISIS and the Nusra Front. Meanwhile, US officials hope that the killing of the pilot will harden Jordan’s position as a member of the US-led coalition against ISIS. The Kurdish Democratic Union Party offered its condolences to Jordan and threatened “to take revenge on [ISIS] on behalf of the martyr [Moaz] al-Kasassbeh.” [Annahar, al-Akhbar English, Naharnet, Al-Arabiya, WSJ, Asharq al-Awsat, The National, 2/4/2015]
Pilot’s killing divides Jordanians over coalition engagement
The Jordanian public has become increasingly divided over the country’s continued participation in the US-led coalition against ISIS after the brutal killing of pilot Moaz al-Kassasbeh who was burnt alive by ISIS. On Tuesday night as mourners gathered in Amman and Kassasbeh’s home province of Karak, protesters clashed over Jordan’s role in what they say is an increasingly costly war. “We have no business in the coalition, it is the United States [leading it],” said one of the mourners. His comments triggered clashes among the crowd. “We do not fear death or terrorists and we stand by the monarchy,” added another. [Al Jazeera English, ABC News, 2/4/2015]
Iraqi cabinet approves national guard bill
Iraq’s cabinet approved Tuesday a draft law on establishing a national guard, a measure aimed at gaining support from the country’s Sunni Arab minority and reducing sectarian rifts. A statement from Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s office announced the approval of the bill, which must now go before parliament, but did not provide details on its content. Under a general proposal previously outlined by Abadi, the national guard would be comprised of forces from the country’s various provinces that would be responsible for local security. The bill comes as Iraq’s minister for human rights said that the government had asked Abu Dhabi to reconsider its decision to blacklist militias that have joined “the popular forces,” an umbrella of anti-ISIS groups formed in response to Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani’s call to protect Iraq’s Shia shrines. [Naharnet, 2/4/2015]
Rebels capture Handarat camp north of Aleppo
Syrian rebels, including US-backed Hazm Movement, captured the Handarat camp just north of Aleppo Tuesday, putting a dent in the regime’s plan to encircle remaining rebel positions in the city by cutting off supply routes from the northern Aleppo countryside. Rebels also took control of the al-Mayasat hill on Tuesday that overlooks al-Briej Circle, part of a supply line for regime forces focused around the central Aleppo prison. [Siraj Press, 2/3/2015]
Houthi deadline ends today
It is unclear what Yemen’s Houthi movement intends to do following the expiration of the deadline on Wednesday, leaving observers uncertain if the group intends to seize sole control of the Yemeni government. The Houthis have called for their militia to become part of Yemen’s army and police force as part of attempts to secure their grip on power in the country, but have so far appeared reluctant to occupy the country’s government and governing institutions. Speaking during a press conference in Sana’a, UN Special Advisor Jamal Benomar said, “The situation is very serious. Yemen is on the brink of collapse. If the situation is not contained, the country will enter a civil war.” [WJS, Asharq al-Awsat, 2/4/2015]
Members of Islah party protest in Sana’a
Dozens of members of the Islah party gathered in front of the party’s building in Sana’a to demand suspension of talks with the Houthis. Protesters described the dialogue with the rebel group as treason and called for an immediate release of all Islah members imprisoned by the militia group. Islah released a press statement yesterday saying it had reached an agreement with the Houthis. [Aden el-Ghad, Al Masdar, 2/4/2015]
Southern Movement fighters mobilize in south
Clashes broke out last week between security forces and Southern Movement militants in the Radfan district of Lahj governorate. Heavy fighting continued over the weekend, ending with brief skirmishes on Sunday morning. Fighting took place around the cities of al-Malah and al-Hebailin, near the border with al-Dhale government. The situation in northern Lahj remains tense as both sides send reinforcements. In Marib, tribesmen set up roadblocks along the road between Sana’a and Marib to protect the area from a Houthi assault which they believe to be imminent. [Yemen Times, 2/3/3015]
US defense nominee would rethink Yemen strategy
Secretary of Defense nominee Ashton Carter says he believes the United States must alter its counterterrorism strategy against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), following the Houthi takeover of Yemen’s government last month. In Carter’s answers provided to the Senate Armed Services Committee in advance of his confirmation hearing Wednesday, he said that while he understands the current US strategy’s goal to disrupt al-Qaeda operations, the current political situation in Yemen will “complicate these efforts and will require adapting the strategy to these changes.” [The Hill, 2/4/2015]
United Arab Emirates, key US ally in ISIS effort, disengaged in December
The United Arab Emirates, a crucial Arab ally in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIL or ISIS), suspended airstrikes against the Sunni extremist group in December, citing fears for its pilots’ safety after a Jordanian pilot was burned to death. The divide between the United States and the United Arab Emirates is significant because the country has been the United States’ most stalwart Arab ally in the fight against ISIS. [AFP, NYT, 2/4/2015]
Mideast, North Africa to invest $755 billion in energy to 2019
According to key lenders, Middle Eastern and North African states are expected to invest $755 billion in energy projects over the next five years despite the plunge in world oil prices. Oil is expected to account for 31 percent of the investment spent and gas for 27 percent. The other $316 billion is projected to be invested in power generation to meet soaring demand for electricity, which is heavily subsidized in most regional states. The UAE comes in second place after Saudi Arabia with investment projections of $116 billion, followed by Algeria with $84 billion. Iraq and Iran are forecast to invest around $80 billion and $70 billion, respectively. [AFP, 2/4/2015]
Gunmen storm Libyan oilfield
According to Libyan officials, gunmen possibly linked to Islamist militants assaulted and seized control of Libyan oilfield Mabrook in the second high-profile attack in the country in a week. France’s Total has a stake in the site but it is contracted to a Libyan company. Rival armed factions have been fighting for almost two months for control of Libya’s biggest oil ports, Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, on the Mediterranean coast. [Reuters, 2/4/2015]
Gulf states to give Egypt $10 billion in deposits
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates will reportedly give Egypt $10 billion in deposits before Egypt holds an investment conference in March. Egypt hopes the investment conference in Sharm el-Sheikh will generate ventures worth billions of dollars, helping to boost its economy, which has just started to recover. During a meeting held by Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab with Egypt’s business community in Kuwait, Central Bank Governor Hisham Ramez thanked the Kuwaiti authorities for their support, adding, “The Egyptian economy will not depend on aid.” [Reuters, 2/3/2015]
Tunisia exit tax bad for business with Libya
A Tunisian border town is blaming an unpopular Tunisian exit tax, introduced last October, for its dwindling fortunes. The protesters say that the TND 30 exit stamp ($15.50) has caused Libyan border guards to respond by blocking the movement of high-quality goods from Libya, which they claim has disrupted profitable cross-border trade. Protesters further insist that the tax has had no benefit on Tunisia’s infrastructure thus far. [Libya Herald, 2/3/2015]