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Tunisia Thwarts 13 Illegal Migration Operations

African migrants in a neighborhood in the Tunisian capital (EPA)
African migrants in a neighborhood in the Tunisian capital (EPA)
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Tunisia Thwarts 13 Illegal Migration Operations

African migrants in a neighborhood in the Tunisian capital (EPA)
African migrants in a neighborhood in the Tunisian capital (EPA)

Tunisia’s Coast Guard units thwarted 13 irregular migration operations across the maritime borders during the weekend, and rescued 175 migrants of sub-Saharan African nationalities, according to a statement released by the Interior Ministry.
The statement said that illegal migration extended to the coasts of Sfax and Nabeul, where the coast guard units tracked the illegal activities of migrants from the Tunisian coast towards the Italian coast near Tunisia.
Also, the National Guard Marine District of Sfax arrested five wanted migrant smugglers and traffickers and seized 10 metal boats, in addition to eight outboard motors that were waiting to equip a number of boats to sail towards the Italian coast.
The coastguard units of Nabeul also foiled an irregular migration operation across the maritime borders and rescued 13 Tunisian migrants and a foreign girl.
The public prosecutor's office has ordered that the necessary legal measures be taken against them.
A number of human rights and local organizations call for prioritizing the humane treatment of illegal migrants, saying they are victims of the economic and security conditions in African and South American countries.
In this regard, President of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, Abdul Rahman al-Huthaili, said the wave of irregular migration will not stop as long as the issue is not well treated both in the countries of origin and the countries of reception.
He added that legitimizing abuses against migrants, and unlimitedly cooperating with a number of European countries, including Italy and France, to deport them forcibly and en masse, could not be a viable solution to the irregular migrant file.
Al-Huthaili also criticized the European bill to establish a comprehensive system of asylum procedures that was passed by the French Parliament last month to toughen rules for immigrants.
This bill encourages the adoption of a repressive policy, and a security approach against migrants, he said, adding that it also represents another step backwards in terms of respect for human rights.
Al-Huthaili said the bill encourages the adoption of a security approach to prevent the arrival of migrants to European territory, and establishes a solidarity system among EU countries to organize mass forced deportations, instead of cooperation to receive migrants.

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Arab World

Indonesia Calls for Investigation into Peacekeeper Deaths in Lebanon

Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)
Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)
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Indonesia Calls for Investigation into Peacekeeper Deaths in Lebanon

Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)
Wreaths as people visit to offer condolences for Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed following an Israeli strike on Sunday in southern Lebanon, in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 1, 2026. (Reuters)

Indonesia has called on the United Nations to investigate the deaths of three of its UNIFIL peacekeepers following Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, a foreign ministry official said on Wednesday as relatives at home mourned their deaths.

The ministry's UN representative, Umar Hadi, called for the inquiry in a statement during an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday.

"We demand a direct investigation from the UN, not just Israel's excuses," he said.

Indonesia said earlier this week that ongoing Israeli military operations have ‌placed UN peacekeepers ‌in Lebanon at grave risk.

The Indonesian peacekeepers were ‌killed ⁠in two separate incidents ⁠in southern Lebanon after a bloody weekend in which Lebanese journalists and medics were also killed in Israeli strikes.

PEACEKEEPER'S RELATIVES MOURN

One of the peacekeeping troops, Farizal Rhomadhon, 28, was killed in an attack on Sunday. He is survived by a wife and one child, local media reported.

In his village in the city of ⁠Yogyakarta, his uncle Sumijan, 82, attended a family ‌gathering on Wednesday to pay his respects, ‌though he said his nephew's body had not yet been returned ‌to Indonesia.

"The kid was obedient, hard-working," he told Reuters. "Before he ‌was a soldier, he was in the business of selling songbirds. He was very disciplined."

Indonesian foreign ministry's initial reaction to Farizal's death on Monday drew criticism on social media, with many users complaining that it ‌did not identify the cause of the attack, describing it as "indirect artillery fire".

UN INVESTIGATION BLAMES ROADSIDE ⁠EXPLOSION

A roadside ⁠explosion appeared to strike the convoy of two Indonesian peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon on Monday, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Tuesday, citing the initial findings of an investigation.

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that its review of an incident involving UNIFIL troops on Monday concluded that Israeli troops had not placed any explosive device in the area and had deployed no troops there.

Indonesia contributes over 2,700 uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping, among the largest contributors globally, the UN said in 2024.

Indonesia has pledged to contribute troops for potential deployment in Gaza as part of the UN-mandated multinational International Stabilization Force.

Arab World

Official: Yemen’s Arabian Sea Ports Poised to Become Global Logistics Hubs

Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)
Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)
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Official: Yemen’s Arabian Sea Ports Poised to Become Global Logistics Hubs

Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)
Arabian Sea ports poised to become global logistics hubs (Arabian Sea Ports Authority)

A Yemeni maritime official said ports along the Arabian Sea are capable of becoming global logistics hubs, citing their competitive advantages and capacity to handle various types of commercial vessels, particularly container ships and general cargo vessels, as well as dry and liquid bulk carriers.

Dr. Nabil bin Aifan, acting director of maritime affairs in Mukalla in eastern Yemen, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Port of Mukalla is distinguished by its ability to receive all types of vessels.

He also described Saudi Arabia’s experience in developing the maritime transport and ports sector as “successful” at both regional and global levels, expressing hope that Yemeni ports — particularly Mukalla — would benefit from this experience, as well as from Saudi support for infrastructure projects in the country.

Roadmap

Mohsen al-Amri, Yemen’s transport minister, recently announced a roadmap focused on turning technical and economic studies into tangible projects, particularly regarding the ports in Hadramout, Shabwa and the Socotra archipelago, in addition to the expansion project of the Port of Mukalla, which is considered a key pillar of Yemen’s maritime activity.

Al-Amri pledged to work towards transforming Arabian Sea ports into global logistics hubs, in a move aimed at strengthening Yemen’s position on the international trade map.

Strong potential

Bin Aifan said the Port of Qana in Shabwa governorate has significant potential to become a successful commercial port, particularly in terms of its geographic location, depth, hinterland and the capacity of its berths and yards.

He also referred to a previous study he conducted on the Port of Aden and its strategic importance, noting that the port possesses global competitive advantages and, if properly invested in, could become one of the most prominent ports in the region and among the busiest in cargo handling.

“For example, the port’s geographical location links East and West, and ships need no more than four nautical miles to change direction and reach the pilot station,” he said. “It is also naturally protected from waves and from the northeast and southwest monsoon winds, enabling it to operate year-round without interruption. It lies just 105 nautical miles from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which around 21,000 ships pass annually.”

Sustaining operational capacity

According to a United Nations report cited by bin Aifan, the Port of Aden requires an investment package to maintain its current operational capacity, which has declined due to insufficient maintenance, weak infrastructure and limited institutional capacity.

The report also pointed to the absence of long-term investment plans, the lack of systematic integration of risk management into decision-making processes, as well as weak awareness of health, safety and environmental issues.

Six pillars

Bin Aifan outlined six main pillars for developing Yemeni ports, foremost among them the Port of Aden: infrastructure development, digital transformation, strengthening administrative and logistics systems, developing human capital, meeting safety requirements and protecting the environment, alongside the need for a comprehensive legal framework.

“The role of the private sector in the development process cannot be overlooked, as it is one of the key pillars of successful port operations,” he said, adding that experience has shown that assigning port operations to the private sector helps improve efficiency and enhance competitiveness.

Speaking about Saudi Arabia’s role, bin Aifan said there is a strong direction within the Kingdom to support infrastructure and economic projects in Hadramout in particular and Yemen in general.

“We hope the ports will receive a substantial share of this support, based on the Kingdom’s priorities and its successful experience in this field,” he stated.

Arab World

Yemen's Houthis Claim 3rd Missile Attack Targeting Israel

People ride in a vehicle past a digital billboard featuring Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Sanaa, Yemen, 31 March 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
People ride in a vehicle past a digital billboard featuring Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Sanaa, Yemen, 31 March 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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Yemen's Houthis Claim 3rd Missile Attack Targeting Israel

People ride in a vehicle past a digital billboard featuring Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Sanaa, Yemen, 31 March 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
People ride in a vehicle past a digital billboard featuring Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Sanaa, Yemen, 31 March 2026. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

Yemen's Houthis on Wednesday claimed a missile attack against Israel that they said was launched jointly with their backer Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group -- the third such attack by the militias since they entered the Middle East war.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel's military said its air defenses had responded to a missile launched from Yemen, later announcing that residents were "permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas of the country.”

Israeli media said the missile was intercepted, and there were no reports of any casualties or damage.

The Houthis "carried out the third military operation... targeting sensitive Israeli enemy targets... with a barrage of ballistic missiles,” Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a video statement.

"This operation was conducted jointly with our mujahideen brothers in Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon," he added.

Yemen's Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks targeting Israel over the weekend, their first in the current war.

The Israeli military also said on Monday that two drones launched from Yemen were intercepted.

From Yemen, the Houthis could potentially disrupt shipping through the Red Sea, as they did at the height of Israel's war on Gaza.

The Houthis have previously threatened shipping through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, which requires vessels to travel through a narrow strait off Yemen's coast.