عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

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
TT
TT

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.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
TT
TT

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.