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Blasts Strike Two Egyptian Red Sea Towns

An image from a clip broadcast by Al Arabiya channel of the site where the missile hit in the Egyptian city of Taba (Asharq Al-Awsat)
An image from a clip broadcast by Al Arabiya channel of the site where the missile hit in the Egyptian city of Taba (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Blasts Strike Two Egyptian Red Sea Towns

An image from a clip broadcast by Al Arabiya channel of the site where the missile hit in the Egyptian city of Taba (Asharq Al-Awsat)
An image from a clip broadcast by Al Arabiya channel of the site where the missile hit in the Egyptian city of Taba (Asharq Al-Awsat)

 Projectiles hit two Egyptian Red Sea towns on Friday injuring several people, sources and officials said, showing the risk of regional spillover from the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The explosions hit Taba on the border with Israel and Nuweiba about 70 km (43 miles) further away, two Egyptian security sources told Reuters, saying they were still gathering more information.
There was no claim of responsibility, but Egypt's state-linked Al-Qahera News said the missile that hit Taba appeared to be connected to fighting between Hamas militants and the Israeli military around Gaza, about 220 km (137 miles)miles away.
Egypt's health ministry said six people were injured in Taba, with four already discharged from hospital, after an ambulance facility and residential building were hit.
Witnesses in both places, who asked not to be named, confirmed explosions and smoke rising. Israel's military said it was aware of a security incident outside its borders.
Taba and Nuweiba, both in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, are popular with tourists.

Last weekend, several Egyptian border guards were also injured after being accidentally hit by fragments of a shell from an Israeli tank. Israel apologized for the incident.
 

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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.