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Iran Activates Air Defense System in Syria

File photo of Iranian missiles in Syria. (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
File photo of Iranian missiles in Syria. (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
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Iran Activates Air Defense System in Syria

File photo of Iranian missiles in Syria. (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
File photo of Iranian missiles in Syria. (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)

The Iranian militias have given the green light to activate the air defense system composed of four batteries in Damascus to intercept any upcoming Israeli strikes, reliable sources in Syria said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) revealed that the militias’ leaders were ordered to limit their movement in Syrian territories, fearing Israeli strikes.

The Iranian militias exploited the destructive earthquake that hit parts of Syria and the access to humanitarian aid in order to deliver the air defense system to the regime.

The cost of the Iranian system is less than that of the Russian S-300 missile system.

SOHR added that the Iranian system had passed through the al-Boukamal crossing on the Syrian-Iraqi border.

More Iranian missiles are expected and would be placed at the security and military sites in Aleppo, Latakia and Deir Ezzor.

Israel targeted several Iranian sites in Syria, where the Iranian militias have been deployed in recent years, to prevent Iran from expanding and to ban the smuggling of weapons to Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Some of the sites are close to Damascus and its civil airport.

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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)
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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.