2024: Tuesday, August 20

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — AUGUST 20 2024

Good morning. Today we bring you news from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Welcome to your daily international conflict update.

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1. 🇸🇩 RSF peace talks stall in Sudan

2. 🇨🇳 Chinese aggression toward Taiwan continues

3. 🇮🇱 Israel agrees to ceasefire deal

1 - SUDAN

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have threatened escalation to prevent the Sudanese Army from controlling the country's future as peace talks have stalled.  Artillery bombardment of Omdurman has increased, resulting in the significant damage to infrastructure.  The RSF have also been observed transporting artillery via truck in order to target northern Omdurman as well, after the Sudanese Army regained control in large parts of the city. The ongoing RSF attacks continue to add to the millions of people already displaced, and the constant shelling is hindering the transportation of much needed food supplies.

Peace talks began earlier this month in Geneva, sponsored by the US, but the Sudanese Army refused to attend unless the RSF withdrew from all civilian areas. 

Read more on the Sudan Tribune here or here

2 - CHINA

China (officially the People’s Republic of China, or PRC) continues to behave threateningly toward the island nation of Taiwan. China believes that Taiwan’s territory and people belong to China and do not constitute a legitimate government or nation.

China’s threatening actions include detaining a fishing boat and its crew for fishing in Chinese waters. The crew has been released but China continues to hold the boat and captain. China also continues to violate Taiwanese maritime jurisdiction and airspace. Chinese aggression has increased since the election of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, including large-scale Chinese military exercises around Taiwan.

More key facts:

• China continues to support Iran - a main backer of terrorist group Hamas - and calls for Israel to end its war against Hamas

• China and Russia may begin barter trade to circumvent sanctions on Russia that affect payments

• China is working on strengthening diplomatic relations with Indonesia; they recently held a diplomatic meeting in Jakarta

Read more on ISW, AP, or Reuters

3 - ISRAEL

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to the press after his meeting with Israeli leadership on Monday. Blinken confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to accept the ceasefire proposal offered by the US.

“The next important step,” said Blinken, “is for Hamas to say yes.” However, terrorist group Hamas still refuses to agree to the ceasefire deal, saying that the deal Netanyahu agreed to was not the same as the one Hamas initially agreed to. Top Israeli negotiators - including the Mossad and Shin Bet heads - will be going to a possible summit in Cairo to negotiate further.

Blinken reiterated to the press that the ceasefire deal, if agreed upon, will progress in phases and include an initial six-week ceasefire, hostage release deal, and prisoner exchange.

Netanyahu reportedly continues to insist that even in the event of a ceasefire, Israel must maintain a strategic presence along the Gaza-Egypt border to avoid further deadly terrorist incursions via Egypt. 

Read more on AP or Times Of Israel

THE REST OF THE WORLD…

• Myanmar fighting continues, moving into southeast regions [Irrawaddy]

• Chinese and Vietnamese communist leaders met in Beijing [AP]

P.S. If you have a source, tip, or piece of information we missed, please reply to this email and tell us about it. Thank you!