Turkish Forces Shell SDF Positions in Northeast Hasakah

Artillery of opposition factions in the Idlib region (SOHR)
Artillery of opposition factions in the Idlib region (SOHR)
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Turkish Forces Shell SDF Positions in Northeast Hasakah

Artillery of opposition factions in the Idlib region (SOHR)
Artillery of opposition factions in the Idlib region (SOHR)

Turkish forces shelled an SDF position in Sarmasakh village in Al-Malkiya countryside north east Hasakah, causing material damages, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said.

Tuesday’s shelling comes in light of the alarming calm that has prevailed for weeks in SDF-held areas in northern and eastern Syria.

On February 27, SOHR said a female shepherd was injured in her foot with a gunshot fired by the Turkish forces and their proxy in the outskirts of Al-Dardarah village in Tel Tamer countryside north-west of the province.

Meanwhile, factions of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operation room fired heavy artillery shells on regime positions in Tela Abo Ali northern of Lattakia and the frontline of Joban village eastern of Idlib, leaving no casualties, the Observatory said.

In retaliation, regime forces fired heavy artillery shells on the vicinity of Maarat Alya eastern of Idlib, the vicinity of Al-Nairab town in eastern Idlib countryside, the vicinity of Ma’rat Al-Naasan town in north eastern Idlib countryside and the vicinity of Al-Ruwaiha town southern of Idlib. Also no casualties were reported.

On March 20, factions of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room fired heavy artillery shells on positions of regime forces on the 46th Regiment frontline in the western countryside of Aleppo in “Putin-Erdogan” area.



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.