عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Israel Threatens to Bomb Beirut Airport If Used to Deliver Iranian Weapons

A general view shows Beirut's international airport, Lebanon. (Reuters)
A general view shows Beirut's international airport, Lebanon. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Israel Threatens to Bomb Beirut Airport If Used to Deliver Iranian Weapons

A general view shows Beirut's international airport, Lebanon. (Reuters)
A general view shows Beirut's international airport, Lebanon. (Reuters)

Israel raised threats on Saturday of plans to bomb the Beirut airport if the terminal gets used as an Iranian weapons smuggling route, in a situation similar to what it did in Syria.

Israeli political sources in Tel Aviv said that Israel was aware of a report broadcast by “Al-Arabiya Channel” about Iran's plans to use a new smuggling corridor for its weapons through Beirut after the failure of the Damascus corridor.

The sources said that Tel Aviv is investigating Tehran’s attempt to smuggle weapons through civilian flights to Beirut airport.

They confirmed that Israel’s intensified air raids on Syria, in recent years, have proven beneficial in thwarting most of the Iranian weapons smuggling operations to its armed militias in Syria and to Hezbollah in Lebanon and destroying a number of Iranian air bases and sites on Syrian territory.

They stressed that Israel will not be lenient with the transport of Iranian weapons through Beirut airport, threatening to carry out harsh military strikes if the terminal is used for Iranian ammunition deliveries.

Sources in Tel Aviv linked the matter to a visit made by Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah two weeks ago to Syria where he met Syrian President Bashar Assad.

They said Nasrallah discussed the difficulties faced by Iran and Hezbollah in Syria as a result of the Israeli strikes there.

In 1968, Israel bombed Beirut airport in response to an attack carried out by the "Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine" on an Israeli civilian plane. The Palestinian organization had bases in Lebanon at the time. The Israeli raid destroyed a number of civilian aircrafts belonging to Middle East Airlines.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

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)
TT
TT

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.