Houthis Honor Coup Anniversary, Overlook National ‘September 26 Revolution’

Houthis
Houthis
TT

Houthis Honor Coup Anniversary, Overlook National ‘September 26 Revolution’

Houthis
Houthis

Insurgency militias in Yemen overlooked celebrations commemorating the 55th anniversary of the ‘September 26 Revolution,’ which laid the foundations to the unified Yemen.

Celebrated first in 1962, Yemenis have over the decades dedicated a great deal of festivity and adoration for the day which resonates with their national identity. Iran-aligned Houthi militias scrapped away at the occasion, choosing that Yemenis living under their control would celebrate the ‘September 21 Revolution,’ the day marking militias storming in and taking over the capital Sana’a in 2014.

Yemenis celebrated "September 26 Revolution" amid tight restrictions imposed by coup militias, who have abolished all support to the republic system and turned it into a Tehran-inspired regime, the main supporter of the Houthi insurgents.

Yemeni Culture Minister Marwan Damaj says that post-coup events add up to “an extension to the counterrevolution going against the Republic and the (September 26 Revolution).”

“The Yemeni revolution has been subjected to multiple rising conspiracies since the sixties until this very moment, and the 2014 coup is only an expanded and clear model of this counter-revolution aimed at making the Yemenis’ struggles for decades to establish the state of law and order futile,” Damaj told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Yemenis will not give up their republic, which is a peaceful and tolerating regime, despite the different tools and method of governance available in the region-- it is the most appropriate for Yemen and the most suitable for its neighbors and poses no danger of any kind, contrary to what the coupists are eyeing,” said Damaj.

“Houthis are dangerous to Yemen and the region because they are supported by dangerous regional forces going against social peace in the region and the world,” explained Dammaj.

“The “26 September Revolution” in 1962 was targeted by wars, plots and inner treachery from day one— but the revolution did not stop at attempts to blur, distort and falsify its spirit,” he added.



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)
TT

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.