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Two Oxfam Workers Killed in Syria's Daraa

Destruction in Syria's Daraa. (Reuters)
Destruction in Syria's Daraa. (Reuters)
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Two Oxfam Workers Killed in Syria's Daraa

Destruction in Syria's Daraa. (Reuters)
Destruction in Syria's Daraa. (Reuters)

Two Oxfam aid workers were killed in an attack that targeted their vehicle in Syria on Wednesday, the NGO said.

They were targeted by unidentified gunmen on the Yadoda–Muzayrib road in the western countryside of Daraa.

This is the first time that aid workers get killed in this area where the number of attacks and assassination attempts keep on rising in various methods.

More than 303 attacks took place in the area under different forms, including detonating bombs, mines, booby-trapped cars, and firing with light and medium weapons.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, these attacks killed 194 people, 38 were civilians including four women and two children.

Meanwhile, almost 100 were from the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them and collaborators of the security forces and regime institutions. Also, 16 Syrian militias of Lebanon's ''Hezbollah'' and the Iranian forces were killed in these attacks, in addition to six of what is known as the 5th Corps which was established by Russia.

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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.