Morocco, Netherlands Discuss Migration, People Smuggling

Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Morocco, Netherlands Discuss Migration, People Smuggling

Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit met in Rabat with State Secretary for Justice and Security of the Netherlands Eric Van der Burg, during which they discussed migration issues and means of cooperation in this regard.

The two officials discussed different mechanisms to improve cooperation, including the exchange of expertise, information, and joint efforts to combat the threats and challenges posed by criminal activities of cross-border trafficking networks, especially people smuggling.

During the meeting, Laftit emphasized Morocco's extensive efforts in border control and the fight against cross-border crime, which has made Morocco a major player in regional security.

The Moroccan minister also noted the partnership between Morocco, the Netherlands, and Africa, which he described as a strategic approach that benefits partner countries in the South by providing capacity building, and technical assistance.

Moreover, they emphasized the positive role of the Moroccan community in the Netherlands, which serves as a bridge of human and civilization exchange between the two countries.

As for minors with no escorts, Laftit recalled the instructions of Morocco's King Mohammed VI to return the Moroccan minors with full respect to their rights and superior interests and the international obligations of both parties.



At Least 15 Killed in Suicide Bombing at Damascus Church

A Syrian man reacts inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweila in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
A Syrian man reacts inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweila in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
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At Least 15 Killed in Suicide Bombing at Damascus Church

A Syrian man reacts inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweila in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
A Syrian man reacts inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweila in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

At least 15 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Syria's capital Damascus on Sunday, security sources said.

Syria's interior ministry said the suicide bomber was an ISIS member. He entered the church, opened fire and then detonated his explosive vest, the ministry added in a statement.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.

Syria's state news agency cited the health ministry as putting the preliminary casualty toll at nine dead and 13 injured.

Some local media reported that children were among the casualties.

A livestream from the site by Syria's civil defense, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction from within the church, including a bloodied floor and shattered church pews and masonry.

Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa condemned the attack, calling it a terrorist attack.

“This cowardly act goes against the civic values that brings us together,” he said in a post on X. “We will not back down from our commitment to equal citizenship ... and we also affirm the state’s pledge to exert all its efforts to combat criminal organizations and to protect society from all attacks threatening its safety.”