Coronavirus Spreading in Syria’s Daraa, Sweida

Taher Abdelbaki, a doctor, prepares to receive a dose of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Ibn Sina medical center in opposition-held Idlib city, Syria, May 6, 2021. (Reuters)
Taher Abdelbaki, a doctor, prepares to receive a dose of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Ibn Sina medical center in opposition-held Idlib city, Syria, May 6, 2021. (Reuters)
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Coronavirus Spreading in Syria’s Daraa, Sweida

Taher Abdelbaki, a doctor, prepares to receive a dose of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Ibn Sina medical center in opposition-held Idlib city, Syria, May 6, 2021. (Reuters)
Taher Abdelbaki, a doctor, prepares to receive a dose of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Ibn Sina medical center in opposition-held Idlib city, Syria, May 6, 2021. (Reuters)

Doctors in Daraa have warned of the outbreak of the coronavirus throughout most of the province, saying that the southern Syrian region was witnessing an unprecedented rise in the number of infections.

Speaking on condition of anonymity for security considerations, a doctor in Daraa told Asharq Al-Awsat that the province registered more than 120 new infections and two deaths over the past two days.

He added that the area saw an unprecedented rise in cases a few days earlier, reaching nearly 200 infections, the highest daily tally since the beginning of the outbreak.

The doctor said he expected that the coming days will witness a new increase in the number of infected people due to non-compliance to preventive measures and social distancing, in addition to the fragility of the health care system.

He stressed that the health sector is suffering from a shortage of medical equipment and necessary materials, while also noting the major damage to the infrastructure due to the long years of conflict.

Furthermore, the doctor confirmed the presence of new mutated strains of the coronavirus, which are more dangerous and rapidly spreading.

“We are witnessing infections among all age groups, including young people and even children,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Meanwhile, Sweida 24 Network said in a recent report that Sweida National Hospital registered the death of three patients infected with the coronavirus over the past week, along with the increase in the number of infections.

Despite the public awareness campaigns about the virus and recent vaccination campaigns carried out by the Ministry of Health, medical studies pointed to the spread of the fourth generation of the Delta variant, which spreads more rapidly among all age groups.

The Syrian Ministry of Health recently announced that the occupancy rate at Covid-19 wards in hospitals in Damascus and Latakia have reached full capacity.



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.