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Morocco Tries to Contain Pandemic by Imposing Strict Measures

Morocco imposes strict measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. MAP
Morocco imposes strict measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. MAP
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Morocco Tries to Contain Pandemic by Imposing Strict Measures

Morocco imposes strict measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. MAP
Morocco imposes strict measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. MAP

Morocco’s Prime Minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani said his government is taking all responsibility for managing the coronavirus pandemic and continues to assess the spread of the COVID-19 disease on a weekly basis or more.

In press statements on Tuesday, Othmani said some new decisions have been made to deal rapidly with new infections.

The government aims at reducing the number of infections by imposing quick measures, he affirmed, noting that any delay could have heavy consequences.

“All countries in the work often resort to strict decisions when it comes to the pandemic.”

“There isn’t any country or government in the world that wishes to close its economy or limit the movement of its citizens,” the PM said.

The Health Ministry announced on Tuesday a new record number of recoveries from COVID-19 amounting to 3,426 in the past 24 hours, raising the tally to 84,158 recoveries.

It also recorded 1,376 new cases, bringing the country’s tally to 103,119 since the first case was reported on March 2.

The ministry recorded 25 new deaths, increasing the death toll to 1,855, and saying the mortality rate remains at 1.8 percent.

The new cases were distributed as follows: Casablanca (495), Rabat-Sale-Kenitra (296), Beni Mellal-Khenifra (88), Marrakech-Safi region (86), Souss-Massa (84) and Tangier-Tetouan-al Hoceima (79).

Morocco’s cumulative infection rate during the past 24 hours has become 284 infections per 100,000 people, and the infection index is 3.8 per 100,000 people.

Moroccan health authorities excluded 20,085 suspected COVID-19 cases.

A total of approximately 2,307,457 suspected COVID-19 carriers have tested negative for the virus so far.

The number of active cases currently receiving treatment is 17,106, or 47.1 cases per 100,000 people.

Morocco counts 300 patients with severe symptoms, including 41 on ventilators.

In other news, the Pasteur Institute of Morocco (IPM) announced on Monday that it will continue to perform PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests.

In accordance with the Ministry of Health's anti-coronavirus strategy, the IPM has been making these tests at the reference laboratory for emerging and dangerous viruses at the rate of some 2,000 tests per day since the pandemic’s outbreak in the Kingdom, it said in a statement.

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Damascus Stands at Equal Distance in Hostility to Both Tel Aviv and Tehran

Residents check the remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel, after it fell in Syria's southwestern Daraa province on June 13, 2025. (AFP)
Residents check the remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel, after it fell in Syria's southwestern Daraa province on June 13, 2025. (AFP)
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Damascus Stands at Equal Distance in Hostility to Both Tel Aviv and Tehran

Residents check the remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel, after it fell in Syria's southwestern Daraa province on June 13, 2025. (AFP)
Residents check the remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel, after it fell in Syria's southwestern Daraa province on June 13, 2025. (AFP)

Damascus remains a wary onlooker as conflict escalates between Israel and Iran, a confrontation threatening to engulf the broader Middle East.

Syria’s state media has given top billing to the tit-for-tat strikes, with the country's main news channel devoting extended airtime to live coverage and in-depth analysis of the fast-moving developments.

Despite widespread Arab and regional condemnation of Israel's actions, Syria has yet to issue an official statement or comment on the matter.

In a notable statement, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of dragging the region and the world toward catastrophe, advised Syria to steer clear of the conflict.

Erdogan described Israel’s actions as “reckless, aggressive and illegal,” calling them a clear provocation and blatant violation of international law.

During a phone call with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Saturday, Erdogan urged Damascus to avoid being drawn into the regional confrontation.

The two leaders discussed the rapidly intensifying Israeli-Iranian standoff and other regional and international issues of mutual concern, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

Syria has no intention of becoming involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran, according to sources close to the government in Damascus, who say the war-ravaged country remains equally distrustful of both sides.

“The Syrian state is too fragile, and its priority is rebuilding and stabilization. It cannot afford to take ill-considered positions in a conflict involving two parties that have both contributed to Syria’s destruction,” a senior source told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The source said Damascus is exercising “extreme caution” as regional tensions mount and is working to shield itself from any potential spillover.

Since returning to the regional fold, Syria has placed how it deals with Israel issue firmly on the Arab and international agenda, advocating negotiations and the implementation of the 1974 disengagement agreement without ruling out the possibility of a future peace deal.

Despite repeated Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, including hits on military sites, Damascus has stuck to its position, seeking diplomatic solutions while avoiding direct confrontation.

As for Iran, even after its withdrawal from Syria, Damascus still views Tehran as a rival, accusing it of continued interference and attempts to undermine Syria’s security and stability.

Sources close to the Syrian government said Damascus fears the broader implications of Israel’s aggressive posture, warning that unchecked escalation could destabilize the entire region.

“There will be no official position from Damascus against either side, unless Syria itself is directly targeted,” one source said, noting that the government remains focused on protecting its own fragile recovery and avoiding entanglement in a wider regional conflict.