As Quake Death Toll Rises, Arab Leaders Offer Condolences to Syria’s Assad

Russian and Syrian soldiers inspect an earthquake-damaged building in Aleppo, northern Syria. (AP)
Russian and Syrian soldiers inspect an earthquake-damaged building in Aleppo, northern Syria. (AP)
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As Quake Death Toll Rises, Arab Leaders Offer Condolences to Syria’s Assad

Russian and Syrian soldiers inspect an earthquake-damaged building in Aleppo, northern Syria. (AP)
Russian and Syrian soldiers inspect an earthquake-damaged building in Aleppo, northern Syria. (AP)

The death toll from Monday’s devastating earthquakes climbed to 812 in the Syrian governorates of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Idlib Countryside and Tartous, according to the Syrian Health Ministry. At least 1,449 people have also been injured in the quake.

Figures released by the ministry are not final as they don’t include victims residing outside regime-controlled areas.

Condolences have poured in and dozens of nations have offered aid since the pre-dawn earthquake that wiped out entire sections of cities in both Türkiye and Syria.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called Syria’s Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday to offer support after the devastating earthquake.

Ahmed Fahmy, spokesman for the Egyptian presidency, said Sisi “expressed his sincere condolences” in the wake of the 7.8-magnitude quake that hit Syria and neighboring Türkiye early Monday.

“President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s solidarity with Syria and its brotherly people in this calamity. He also directed that all possible aid be provided to Syria,” Fahmy said.

Syrian state news agency SANA said that “President Assad thanked Egypt for this position, which reflects the fraternal relations that bind the two brotherly countries.”

Assad on Tuesday also received a phone call from Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik bin Taimur al Said.

During the phone call, the Sultan conveyed the people of Oman’s solidarity with the brotherly people of Syria in the wake of the destructive earthquake.

“The Sultanate will stand with Syria in everything necessary to overcome this ordeal, and will send urgent aid to support the Syrian government’s efforts to overcome the effects of this disaster and provide relief to those affected by it,” said Sultan Haitham.

Moreover, Assad received a phone call from the King of Bahrain.

During the phone call, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa emphasized Bahrain’s solidarity and standing by Syria and its people in this difficult situation.

Assad received similar phone calls from leaders in Algeria and Iran.



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.