Morocco, Spain Boost Cooperation to Face Human Trafficking

Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP
Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP
TT

Morocco, Spain Boost Cooperation to Face Human Trafficking

Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP
Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP

Spain and Morocco face common challenges in combating international terrorism, organized crime and human trafficking, said Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado.

Following a series of meetings with Moroccan officials during her visit to Morocco, Delgado called for enhancing dialogue, intensifying coordination and continuing bilateral cooperation to achieve the desired goals that serve their common interests.

She expressed hope that this important visit will contribute to strengthening the bridges of trust and consolidating the existing strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Spanish official stressed that Spain, as a member of the European Union, advocated for balanced relations with Morocco, taking into account the interests of both parties.

Delgado held talks in Rabat on Tuesday with Morocco's Justice Minister Mohamed Aujjar, Government Secretary General Mohamed Hajoui and the Speaker.

Judicial cooperation between Morocco and Spain is based on mutual trust due to solid framework of instruments and mechanisms, said Delgado after her meeting with Aujjar.

She pointed out that bilateral cooperation in the field of justice should be placed within the framework of "very close" relations between Morocco and Spain because they are neighbors and real strategic partners.

Meanwhile, Delgado expressed her satisfaction with the great progress made since the adoption of the 2011 constitution, the basic laws on the separation of powers and modernization of the judicial administration.

She noted that this legal framework enabled the strengthening of the judicial institutions of the supreme council of the judiciary and the public prosecution.

"The consolidation of the independence of the judiciary is a fundamental pillar in building democracy and the rule of law.”

Aujjar, for his part, praised the positive outcome of the cooperation between the justice ministries of the two countries.

He welcomed the dynamism of the two judges, who are keen to facilitate, simplify and enhance judicial and technical bilateral cooperation.

The Moroccan minister also pointed to the main features of the reform of the Moroccan judicial system, namely the independence of the judiciary, boosting judicial protection for rights and freedoms, increasing the efficiency of justice, developing the institutional capabilities of the judicial system and modernizing the judicial administration.



As Syrian Opposition Sweep into Aleppo, Army Closes Airport and Roads

A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
TT

As Syrian Opposition Sweep into Aleppo, Army Closes Airport and Roads

A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)

Syrian authorities closed Aleppo airport as well as all roads leading into the city on Saturday, three military sources told Reuters, as the groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad said they had reached the heart of Aleppo.
The opposition fighters, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, carried out a surprise sweep through government-held towns this week and reached Aleppo nearly a decade after having been forced out by Assad and his allies.
Russia, one of Assad's key allies, has promised Damascus extra military aid to thwart the opposition, two military sources said, adding new hardware would start arriving in the next 72 hours.
The Syrian army has been told to follow "safe withdrawal" orders from the main areas of the city that the opposition have entered, three army sources said.
The fighters began their incursion on Wednesday and by late Friday an operations room representing the offensive said they were sweeping through various neighbourhoods of Aleppo.
They are returning to the city for the first time since 2016, when Assad and his allies Russia, Iran, and regional Shi'ite militias retook it, with the insurgents agreeing to withdraw after months of bombardment and siege.
Mustafa Abdul Jaber, a commander in the Jaish al-Izza opposition brigade, said their speedy advance this week had been helped by a lack of Iran-backed manpower in the broader Aleppo province. Iran's allies in the region have suffered a series of blows at the hands of Israel as the Gaza war has expanded through the Middle East.
The opposition fighters have said the campaign was in response to stepped-up strikes in recent weeks against civilians by the Russian and Syrian air force on areas in opposition-held Idlib, and to preempt any attacks by the Syrian army.
Opposition sources in touch with Turkish intelligence said Turkiye, which supports the opposition, had given a green light to the offensive.
But Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said on Friday that Turkiye sought to avoid greater instability in the region and had warned recent attacks undermined de-escalation agreements.
The attack is the biggest since March 2020, when Russia and Turkiye agreed to a deal to de-escalate the conflict.
CIVILIANS KILLED IN FIGHTING
On Friday, Syrian state television denied opposition had reached the city and said Russia was providing Syria's military with air support.
The Syrian military said it was fighting back against the attack and had inflicted heavy losses on the insurgents in the countryside of Aleppo and Idlib.
David Carden, UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, said: "We're deeply alarmed by the situation unfolding in northwest Syria."
"Relentless attacks over the past three days have claimed the lives of at least 27 civilians, including children as young as 8 years old."
Syrian state news agency SANA said four civilians including two students were killed on Friday in Aleppo by insurgent shelling of university student dormitories. It was not clear if they were among the 27 dead reported by the UN official.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Moscow regarded the attack as a violation of Syria's sovereignty.
"We are in favor of the Syrian authorities bringing order to the area and restoring constitutional order as soon as possible," he said.