Iran Resumes Religious Flights to Damascus

Iran

January 3rd, 7:28am

Damascus - Asharq Al-Awsat

The Sayyida Zaynab shrine near Damascus. (Iranian agencies)

Iran resumed on Sunday religious flights to Damascus, two years after they were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first flight carried 25 tourists who will stay in the Syrian capital for five days. The trips restarted after Iranians received the full approval of Syrian authorities, pledging to take all precautionary and medical measures against COVID-19. Two trips will follow: the second will arrive in Damascus at the end of this week, while a third will follow early next week. Each flight will carry 25 passengers from Iran. Sources in Damascus said Tehran will cover all travel expenses. The Iranians will visit the Shiite shrine of Sayyida Zaynab south of Damascus. The overcrowded predominantly Shiite area is home to the families of pro-Iran militias. “There are about 13,000 beds in the Zaynabiya area ready to accommodate visitors,” said Syrian Tourism Minister Muhammad Rami Martini, who indicated that there are many hotels in Damascus ready to provide services to visitors if the need arises. More flights can also be operated if the need arises, he added. Martini had expressed the keenness of Interior Minister Mohammad al-Rahmoun to resume religious visits by Iranians to Syria. In 2020, Syria stopped religious flights coming from Iran as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. A week ago, head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, Alireza Rashidian, announced that Tehran will resume sending religious visitors to Syria, IRNA reported.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3392711/iran-resumes-religious-flights-damascus

Five Syrian Soldiers Killed, 20 Injured by ISIS

Arab World

January 3rd, 7:21am

Asharq Al-Awsat

Syrian army soldiers prepare to launch a mortar towards insurgents in the village of Kfar Nabuda, in the countryside of Hama province on May 11, 2019. (SANA via AP)

Five Syrian soldiers were killed and 20 injured in a rocket attack by ISIS militants on a military transport bus on Sunday in the east of the country at approximately 7 p.m. local time (1700 GMT), Syrian state media said on Monday. ISIS, the extremist group that declared a so-called “caliphate” straddling parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014, has lost all territory that was under its control in 2019. However, the group continues to wage a low-level insurgency in both countries. Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat in remarks published Monday that seven regime troops were killed in an ISIS attack on an oil field in Raqqa’s countryside on Saturday night. Heavy fighting between the two sides left seven soldiers dead, the sources said.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3392701/five-syrian-soldiers-killed-20-injured-isis

Gulf, Arab Countries Express Solidarity with Saudi Arabia against Houthi Attacks

Gulf

January 3rd, 5:46am

Riyadh - Asharq Al-Awsat

Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)

Gulf and Arab countries condemned the drone attack by the Iran-backed Houthi militias against southern Saudi Arabia. They reaffirmed their solidarity with the Kingdom, backing all the measures authorities are taking to protect Saudi territory. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement that the country “considers this targeting a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security, safety, and lives of civilians, and calls for taking all necessary measures to protect civilians from Houthi threats.” The statement said that the security of the UAE and Saudi Arabia are indivisible, and “any threat or danger facing the Kingdom is considered by the UAE as a threat to its security and stability system.” Bahrain also denounced the attacks and praised the vigilance and efficiency of the Arab coalition forces, which were able to intercept and destroy the aircraft. Manama said that the terrorist acts carried out by the militias in a systematic and deliberate manner constitute a blatant attack on the Kingdom’s sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity. Kuwait said the continuation of these aggressive practices and the escalation in targeting civilians, civilian areas, the security of the Kingdom, and regional stability are a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law and require the international community to act quickly and decisively to deter these threats and hold the perpetrators accountable. Egypt and Jordan also issued similar statements strongly condemning the attacks, reiterating their full solidarity with the Kingdom and their support for all the measures it takes to maintain its security and stability.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3392581/gulf-arab-countries-express-solidarity-saudi-arabia-against-houthi-attacks

Egypt Pushes for Calm after Flare-up in Gaza Hostilities

Arab World

January 2nd, 10:07am

Asharq Al-Awsat

An explosion caused by Israeli airstrikes is seen in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday Jan, 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Yousef Masoud)

Egyptian officials Sunday pushed for Israel and Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip to rein in hostilities and adhere to a cease-fire in place since the war in May. The Egyptian efforts came a day after Hamas members launched rockets into the Mediterranean Sea off central Israel, prompting Israel to carry out airstrikes on their positions in Gaza early Sunday. No casualties were reported. The Israeli military said it struck “a rocket manufacturing site and military posts” belonging to Hamas in the Gaza Strip overnight in response to Saturday’s rocket fire. “Whoever points missiles at Israel bears responsibility,” Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said at the start of the government's weekly Cabinet meeting. On Wednesday, Palestinian fighters shot an Israeli contractor working along the border fence and Israel responded with tank fire at their positions in what was the first exchange of fire in months, The Associated Press said. Egyptian officials called on Hamas and other Palestinian groups in Gaza to stop their actions seen by Israel as “provocative,” and for Israel to accelerate arrangements agreed upon as part of the cease-fire, an Egyptian diplomat with knowledge of the ongoing efforts said. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the media. “Neither side wants a full-blown war,” the diplomat said. “They just want guarantees and steps on the ground.” The cease-fire, brokered by Egypt and other mediators, has been fragile but largely held since the 11-day war between Hamas and Israel in May. But the group says Israel has not taken serious steps to ease the blockade it imposed on Gaza with Egypt after the movement seized control of the coastal enclave in 2007. At the same time, the smaller Islamic Jihad group has threatened military action against Israel if a hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner dies. Hisham Abu Hawash, an Islamic Jihad member held by Israel under administrative detention, has staged a hunger strike for over 130 days. Israel’s controversial policy of administrative detention allows suspects to be held without charge indefinitely. Israel says the practice is necessary to keep dangerous suspects in custody without disclosing critical intelligence that could expose sources. Palestinians and rights groups decry the policy as a violation of due process.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3391241/egypt-pushes-calm-after-flare-gaza-hostilities

Trio Night Kicks off the New Year in Riyadh

Varieties

January 2nd, 9:39am

Riyadh –Omar al-Badawi

Fireworks lit up the sky above Riyadh for New Year's Eve. (Reuters)

The Saudi capital saw a legendary evening to bid farewell to the year 2021. The concert was held on the Boulevard Theater in Riyadh, in the presence of a large audience. A total of 14 singers from the Arab world participated in the Riyadh Trio Night. The celebration, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world, saw the appearance of Mohammed Abdo, Abdullah al-Rowaished, Angham, Fahad al-Kubaisi, Assala, Majid al-Muhandis, Ahlam, Nawal El Kuwaitia, Rashid al-Majid, Nabil Shuail, Ali Ben Mohammed, Walid Chami, Aseel Abu Baker, Asma Lamnawar. The Egyptian orchestra led by maestro Walid Fayed added its innovative touch to the celebration as well. Abdulmajid Abdullah made an unexpected appearance that turned the stadiums into a festival with all attendees clapping. Governor of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Al-Sheikh described the night as “historical” and extended his thanks to all the participants. The fireworks lit up the sky of Riyadh in celebration of the new year. Saudi musician Diya Azzony told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Saudi Arabia is witnessing an annual development, namely during the entertainment seasons and public events. This supports artists of all fields and musical talents. Taking good care of talents is a key part of the development of the artistic sector, especially the musical sector, said Azzony. He added to the newspaper that there has been an increase in the number of artists and musical instruments' players, and development in the event organizing companies in a way that creates job opportunities, increases productivity in this field, and enriches the artistic movement. General manager at Music Home KSA Prof. Ayman Tayseer told Asharq Al-Awsat that the future of arts is promising in the Kingdom, adding that this sector is witnessing significant changes. Tayseer noted that the musical and artistic talents will find the opportunities awaiting them upon completing their training.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3391191/trio-night-kicks-new-year-riyadh

Unidentified Person Enters North Korea from South in Rare Border Breach

World

January 2nd, 7:35am

Asharq Al-Awsat

This file photo taken on April 23, 2020 shows South Korean soldiers patrolling along a barbed wire fence Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea, on the South Korean island of Ganghwa. (AFP)

An unidentified person entered North Korea from the South on New Year's Day, the military in Seoul said Sunday, a rare breach of the heavily fortified border between the neighbors. Years of repression and poverty in North Korea have led more than 30,000 people to flee to the South in the decades since the Korean War, but crossings in the other direction are extremely rare, AFP reported. The person was detected by surveillance equipment in the Demilitarized Zone -- which divides the Korean peninsula -- at 9:20 pm local time on Saturday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday. It sparked a search operation by the military, but to no avail. "It was confirmed the person crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the North," it added. The person has not been identified yet, a JCS official told reporters, adding South Korean authorities sent a message to the North on Sunday regarding the incident. No unusual activity by the North Korean military has been detected, he said. In 2020, North Korean troops shot dead and burned the body of a South Korean fisheries official Pyongyang said had illegally crossed the maritime border. In the same year, a North Korean who had defected to the South three years earlier sneaked back across the heavily fortified border. His crossing prompted North Korean officials to put the border city of Kaesong under lockdown over fears he may have the coronavirus. The vast majority of North Korean who escape first go to China before making their way to the South, usually via another country. Only a few have dared to cross the DMZ, which is riddled with landmines and has a heavy military presence on both sides.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3390986/unidentified-person-enters-north-korea-south-rare-border-breach

Morocco’s Tough COVID Restrictions Hammer Tourism Sector

Business

January 2nd, 7:27am

Asharq Al-Awsat

An aerial view of Marrakech, Morocco November 10, 2021. REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg/File Photo

Businesses working in Morocco's key tourism sector say the country's tough COVID-19 restrictions, including a full flight ban, are undermining its competitiveness compared to rival destinations. Morocco shut its borders in late November and will only reopen them at the end of January. It has also banned new year celebrations and is enforcing its vaccine pass requirements more strictly in response to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. "These restrictions are unjustified and they have made Morocco lose tourists to Mediterranean competitors such as Egypt and Turkey," said Lahcen Zelmat, head of Morocco's hotel federation, Reuters reported. Tourism generated $8 billion, or 7% of Morocco's economy, in 2019, but the Central Bank expects it to have made only $3.6 billion this year. Hotels in Marrakech, the main tourist hub, have only 14% occupancy at what is normally peak season, Zelmat said. "We fear that by the time borders reopen we will find it hard to sell Morocco due to the sudden border closures," said Emmanuelle Barat, a tour operator. "I have received no customers for the last 10 days," said Taher Onsi, a restaurant owner in Marrakech, adding that domestic tourism could not offset the fall in foreign visitors. The government has approved a 2,000 dirham ($216) payment to tourism workers registered with social security who have been hit by the crisis. "This aid does not cover businesses and workers who earn their living indirectly from tourism," Onsi said. Said Afif, a member of the scientific committee that advises the government on coronavirus, said the curbs would protect lives and the economy by keeping the pandemic under control. Recorded daily coronavirus cases have gone from around 100 earlier this month to 1,960 last Thursday. Morocco is Africa's most vaccinated country, having now administered two shots to 23 million people, in a total population of 36 million. Nearly three million have also had booster shots.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3390966/morocco%E2%80%99s-tough-covid-restrictions-hammer-tourism-sector