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Syrian Regime, Iranian Militias Advance West of Euphrates

Destroyed buildings in Syria. (Reuters)
Destroyed buildings in Syria. (Reuters)
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Syrian Regime, Iranian Militias Advance West of Euphrates

Destroyed buildings in Syria. (Reuters)
Destroyed buildings in Syria. (Reuters)

The Syrian regime and its allies launched on Tuesday a military operation to retake ISIS-held regions west of the Euphrates River days after seizing control of the city of Albu Kamal near the Syrian-Iraqi border.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the regime is trying to impose its complete control over the city with the support of Lebanon’s “Hezbollah”, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Afghan Fatimid Brigade and Iraq’s al-Najba and Hezbollah parties.

The regime was able to make fast advances due to the weakening of ISIS’ combat power. The regime focused its attacks on the towns of al-Salehiya and al-Kamsha and the regions in between them.

Some eight towns are still under ISIS control in the region west of the Euphrates.

The regime and their allies were able to make their fast advance due to the air cover provided by Syrian and Russian fighter jets.

The Observatory said that the battle to seize Albu Kamal left 235 regime forces, allies and ISIS members dead in the five-day struggle for the city, making it one of the fiercest fights in the Deir al-Zour province.

The regime and its allies lost some 109 members, 44 of them Syrian and 15 from “Hezbollah”. The rest are casualties from Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, Iranian Revolutionary Guards and other Iraqi factions. Senior Guards members were also killed in the battle.

No less than 95 ISIS terrorists were killed in the fight in Albu Kamal and its surroundings.

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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.