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Moroccan Authorities Suspend Official for Violating Lockdown Measures

Employees work on a Moroccan ventilator at a factory in Casablanca following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Casablanca, Morocco. Reuters
Employees work on a Moroccan ventilator at a factory in Casablanca following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Casablanca, Morocco. Reuters
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Moroccan Authorities Suspend Official for Violating Lockdown Measures

Employees work on a Moroccan ventilator at a factory in Casablanca following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Casablanca, Morocco. Reuters
Employees work on a Moroccan ventilator at a factory in Casablanca following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Casablanca, Morocco. Reuters

The Moroccan Interior Ministry suspended the head of an administrative region in Casablanca for allowing a funeral to take place in violation of the country’s ban on gatherings for over 50 persons as part of measures to confront the COVID-19 outbreak.

A video of a large gathering at a funeral in Ain Chock region circulated on social media and prompted a backlash after dozens of mourners were seen violating social distancing rules.

The Ministry said the mass funeral attendance defies its ban on gatherings, adding the official has been suspended in line with disciplinary and measures.

“In light of the declared health emergency, it was decided to suspend the head of the administrative annex Ain Chock, pending the results of the administrative investigation,” said the Ministry in a press release.

Meanwhile, the second phase to support Moroccan workers of the informal sector who lost their income due to the COVID-19 crisis is set to start on Thursday.

The Ministry of Economy announced that families registered in the program will receive financial aid, with the total stipend depending on the size of the family.

The Ministry indicated that so far, 3.9 million of the total 4.3 million households have received aid, and the rest will have it by the end of this week.

The program has a budget of nearly $427 million.

The second phase will cover families already registered in addition to households who declared losing their jobs between April and May.

Beneficiaries will receive an SMS message on their mobile phones guiding them to the nearest bank or money transfer agency when their payments are ready for withdrawal.

The Ministry warned that the process of sending text messages will be extended to several days to avoid overcrowding in front of aid withdrawal points.

In a related news, President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) Amina Bouayach called for reviewing the state's role in the fight against poverty, urging authorities to direct efforts after lockdown to fighting poverty.

The Council documented a set of quarantine-related problems including remote trials and shortage in supporting families.

Bouayach called for the development of a comprehensive strategy to fight poverty and the need to respect fair trials.

She also touched on the problem that can be posed by the digital tracking of people infected with the coronavirus, especially its implications on citizens’ personal lives.

Regarding the Council’s work during this exceptional period, Bouayach said that since the lockdown began, they have been monitoring all human rights issues relating to vulnerable groups including children, disabled persons, migrants, refugees, and women.

The Council also carried out a daily follow-up of the prisons that recorded cases of coronavirus including Ksar el-Kebir, Tangier, and Ouarzazate.

Bouayach warned against restricting freedoms during the lockdown, calling for protecting human rights.

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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.