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Egypt, EU Cooperate to Rehabilitate 'Migrant Workers'

The Egyptian Minister of Immigration during her meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union to Cairo (Egyptian Cabinet)
The Egyptian Minister of Immigration during her meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union to Cairo (Egyptian Cabinet)
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Egypt, EU Cooperate to Rehabilitate 'Migrant Workers'

The Egyptian Minister of Immigration during her meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union to Cairo (Egyptian Cabinet)
The Egyptian Minister of Immigration during her meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union to Cairo (Egyptian Cabinet)

Egypt is taking steps to establish a training center in cooperation with the European Union, to sponsor and support the movement of skilled labor and citizens between the two sides.

Egypt Minister of Immigration and Expatriates Soha Gendi said the center would provide all the training needed without any restrictions, bureaucratic complications, and visa problems.

Gendi received the European Union ambassador to Cairo, Christian Berger, within the framework of exchanging experiences in immigration and development.

She indicated that the authorities would establish a headquarters for the center and a website that regulates the transfer of workers.

During the meeting, Gendi lauded the close ties between Egypt and the EU at different levels, reviewing the ministry's efforts in fighting illegal immigration, reintegrating Egyptian workers from abroad, and finding alternative job opportunities.

She referred to the returnees from abroad following the economic crises resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, the impact of foreign markets, and the settlement of employment in some countries, reviewing efforts to integrate returnees from Europe into society.

The Minister referred to Egyptian-European talks on providing more opportunities, overcoming various obstacles, and devising a clear map to offer employment opportunities for young people.

They also addressed the youth employment center, which represents a point of communication between the EU and the Egyptian state to facilitate transferring skilled workers and expertise in various fields.

The center follows Egypt's successful cooperation with Germany in the Egyptian-German Center for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration (EGC), established in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Regarding the presidential initiative "Life Saving Boats," the Minister explained that work is underway in governorates on illegal immigration routes to find opportunities and appropriate alternatives.

Gendi explained that the ministry's strategy is carried out with funding and an integrated development plan for the 14 governorates identified by the presidential initiative to ensure the elimination of illegal immigration.

The EU ambassador stressed the importance of cooperation with Egypt in migration, noting the necessity of positive implementation of the migration program through a package of up to 60 million euros.

Burger highlighted the need of having youth training centers while providing reliable information about the requirements for jobs and vocational training in the European labor market.

He also discussed supporting Egyptian returnees abroad, focusing on forcible returnees through psychological and social support or by facilitating programs to help in their small projects that generate income.

The Ambassador reviewed several activities carried out by the EU in Egypt, including coordination for a round table in July, noting that all issues relating to illegal migration should be addressed in the upcoming workshop.

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Arab World

Houthi Charges of Espionage: A Tool to Intimidate, Control the Population

Houthis demonstrate in the center of the capital Sanaa against American and British strikes on their positions. (AP)
Houthis demonstrate in the center of the capital Sanaa against American and British strikes on their positions. (AP)
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Houthi Charges of Espionage: A Tool to Intimidate, Control the Population

Houthis demonstrate in the center of the capital Sanaa against American and British strikes on their positions. (AP)
Houthis demonstrate in the center of the capital Sanaa against American and British strikes on their positions. (AP)

The Houthi militia has recently released several individuals it had abducted for celebrating Yemen’s September Revolution. However, over the past few days, it has detained hundreds of residents in its stronghold of Saada, accusing them of espionage.

The campaign coincides with the airing of alleged confessions from a purported spy cell and the abduction of a former employee of the US Embassy in Yemen.

Local sources in Saada province, approximately 242 kilometers north of Sanaa, report that the Houthis have launched a widespread campaign of arrests targeting civilians. These individuals have been taken from their homes, workplaces, and businesses under allegations of collaborating with Western nations and Israel. Families of those detained have been warned to remain silent and refrain from discussing the arrests with the media or on social media platforms.

According to the sources, more than 300 individuals, including dozens of women, have been abducted across various districts in Saada. The arrests have also targeted relatives and associates of Othman Mujalli, a member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, who hails from the region.

The sources suggest that the Houthis are detaining women as hostages to pressure their relatives, who may either be out of the militia’s reach or living outside Houthi-controlled areas. They also appear to be using the women to coerce confessions from male relatives. Last month, the Houthis accused Hamid Mujalli, Othman Mujalli’s brother, of engaging in espionage for Arab and Western nations for nearly two decades.

In a separate incident, the Houthis abducted a former employee of the US Embassy in Sanaa from his home on Monday without providing any explanation for their actions.

Release of Detainees

The Houthis recently released Sheikh Amin Rajeh, a tribal leader from Ibb province, after detaining him for four months. Several other individuals were also freed, none of whom had been formally charged during their detention. Rajeh, a member of the General People’s Congress Party, was one of many political activists, students, workers, and public employees abducted in September for celebrating Yemen’s September 26, 1962, revolution.

One of the released individuals, a shop owner, told Asharq Al-Awsat that he was unaware of the reason for his detention. He had been abducted in November, two months after the Houthis initiated a crackdown on those commemorating the revolution.

Alleged Spy Cell

Houthi-controlled media recently broadcast confessions from what they claimed was a newly uncovered spy cell. The group linked the cell to its broader narrative of “promised conquest and sacred jihad” against the West and Israel.

According to Houthi security officials, the alleged spy cell was working to compile a “target database,” monitor sites linked to missile forces and drones, and track specific military and security locations. They also claimed the cell had been observing the residences and movements of Houthi leaders.

In response, the Houthis issued warnings to residents, forbidding them from discussing or sharing information about militia-controlled sites, facilities, or the whereabouts of their leaders.

The Houthis’ actions reflect mounting concerns over potential strikes targeting their senior leadership, similar to the recent attacks on Hezbollah figures in Lebanon. Those fears come amid ongoing tensions with Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom, following the Houthis’ assaults on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and missile attacks on Israel.