BEIRUT: A camp in northeast Syria housing Daesh group relatives saw at least eight murders last month, Kurdish forces said Tuesday, the latest of dozens of such killings since January.
Kurdish forces have struggled to maintain security inside the sprawling tent city of Al-Hol, which is home to some 62,000 people, mostly women and children.
The United Nations has warned of radicalization inside the camp, which houses Syrians, Iraqis and some 10,000 foreign women and children linked to Daesh in a separate annex.
In June, Daesh cells inside Al-Hol “carried out more killings of residents distancing themselves from the extremist ideas of the group,” the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said.
It said eight people of Syrian and Iraqi nationality were shot dead, among them a 16-year-old Iraqi refugee and two Syrian sisters aged 17 and 23. A Russian woman was wounded.
The SDF also added that 42 women and men and 43 children, of different nationalities, were caught trying to smuggle themselves out of the camp in June.
In early April, the SDF said they had captured 125 suspected Daesh members in a security sweep in Al-Hol, which is in Hasakah province.
At the time, the group said 47 killings had taken place in the three months since the start of the year.
Syria’s Kurds hold custody of thousands of suspected Daesh fighters in jails, and their relatives in camps, after expelling the extremists in 2019 from the last patch of territory they controlled.
The Kurdish authorities have repeatedly urged the international community to repatriate their nationals, but most countries have so far taken back only some of the children.
Beyond the camps, the International Committee of the Red Cross last week sounded the alarm over the Kurdish authorities holding “hundreds of children” in adult prisons.
The Kurds responded by urging international help to set up more rehabilitation centers for minors linked to the extremists.
Daesh overran large parts of Syria and neighboring Iraq in 2014, before several military offensives led to their territorial defeat in eastern Syria in March 2019.
However, extremist sleeper cells continue to launch regular attacks in both countries.
Eight murders in a month in Syria camp: Kurds
https://arab.news/vr2cm
Eight murders in a month in Syria camp: Kurds
- Kurdish forces have struggled to maintain security inside the sprawling tent city of Al-Hol
- UN has warned of radicalisation inside the camp housing Syrians, Iraqis and foreign women and children linked to Daesh in a separate annex
Closing Bell: TASI edges down to close at 12,357 points
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Tuesday, losing 14.51 points, or 0.12 percent, to close at 12,357.99.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR7.03 billion ($1.87 billion) as 70 of the listed stocks advanced, while 150 retreated.
Similarly, the MSCI Tadawul Index decreased by 1.42 points, or 0.09 percent, to close at 1,547.71.
The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu slipped by 49.36 points, or 0.18 percent, to close at 26,741.64. This comes as 24 of the listed stocks advanced while as many as 28 retreated.
The best-performing stock of the day was Batic Investments and Logistics Co., whose share price surged by 6.36 percent to SR3.51.
Other top performers include Development Works Food Co. Ltd and Electrical Industries Co., whose share prices soared 5.42 percent and 4.97 percent to SR128.40 and SR5.70, respectively.
Other top performers include Saudi Co. for Hardware and Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co.
The worst performer was Saudi Real Estate Co., whose share price dropped by 7.61 percent to SR22.34.
Other worst performers were Al-Baha Investment and Development Co. as well as Americana Restaurants International PLC, whose share prices dropped by 7.14 percent and 5.07 percent to stand at SR0.13 and SR3.18, respectively.
Additional poor performers include United Cooperative Assurance Co. and AlSaif Stores for Development and Investment Co.
On the announcements front, Americana Restaurants International PLC announced its interim financial results for the period ending on March 31, with revenues amounting to SR1.85 million, down from SR2.21 million in the corresponding period in 2023.
The company attributed the 16.3 percent decline to lower like-for-like sales due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region, as well as reduced sales volumes in March due to shifts in consumer behavior during Ramadan.
Net profits also decreased by 51.8 percent to reach SR105,090 in the first three months of 2024 compared to SR217,984 in the same period last year.
According to a statement by the company on Tadawul, this decrease was attributed to lower sales due to the geopolitical situation and the onset of Ramadan, as well as higher depreciation charges and rent expenses on account of new store openings during the period.
Saudi Real Estate Co. also announced its financial results for the same period, with revenues surging by 8.8 percent to reach SR427.6 million, compared to SR393 million in 2023.
The increase was primarily driven by a 28 percent surge in revenues from infrastructure projects, totaling SR56 million, and a 23 percent increase in rental revenue, totaling SR15 million.
However, the company’s net profits decreased in the first quarter of this year to SR2.9 million, marking a 67.4 percent decline compared to the same quarter in 2023.
This decline, as stated in an official Tadawul announcement, was attributed to an increase in cost of revenues resulting in a 13 percent increase, totaling SR34 million, a 14 percent rise in general and administrative expenses amounting to SR5 million, and an increase in finance costs by 14 percent with the amount of SR8 million
Saudi, Russian foreign ministers discuss ties in phone call
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Tuesday received a phone call from his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
The Saudi Press Agency said both ministers discussed bilateral ties and issues of common interest.
Riyadh Air, STA ink deal to launch new routes and destinations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s second flag carrier Riyadh Air will soon announce more routes and destinations thanks to a new agreement with the Kingdom’s official tourism body.
The airline, backed by the country’s Public Investment Fund, inked the memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Tourism Authority, at Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market.
According to a statement, Riyadh Air and STA will seek joint sponsorships and will collaborate at global trade shows and events.
The two parties will also work together to offer joint loyalty program schemes with exclusive offers and rewards to benefit guests.
“Increasing Saudi’s connectivity with the world is a key pillar of our tourism strategy and will ensure we sustain our rapid growth and meet our new ambitious target of 150 million visits by 2030,” STA CEO Fahd Hamidaddin said.
“This exciting new partnership with Riyadh Air will support our goals and ensure more visitors can travel to experience the cool mountains, pristine waters and dynamic cities that make Saudi a great year-round destination,” Hamidaddin added.
He added that the firm is currently connected to over 180 destinations and is aiming to triple annual passenger traffic to 330 million by 2030. The CEO also shed light on how as well this new agreement will help propel these efforts.
The new deal will also make airline booking processes simpler due to collaboration on payment solutions.
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas added: “This is another momentous day in the history of Riyadh Air.”
He added: “Working alongside the STA to elevate the travel experience for our guests and those coming to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signifies what we’re all about.”
He also highlighted that the carrier is working on elevating aviation standards to previously unseen levels.
“We have a shared commitment to travel and tourism in the Kingdom along with our forward-thinking approach to innovation, sustainability, and the satisfaction of our guests,” the CEO concluded.
Earlier this week, Douglas said that the airline has plans to bolster its aircraft lineup through additional orders, as it requires “a very large fleet” to establish itself alongside regional giants.
This move came as the Kingdom’s second flag carrier ordered 39 Boeing 787-9 jets last year, with options for 33 more.
It also aligns well with Saudi Arabia’s goal to expand its aviation industry and attract more tourists, broadening its airline capacity beyond pilgrimage travel, which currently forms the backbone of the country’s inbound tourism.
Ministry launches service to hire seasonal Hajj workers
- The initiative allows businesses to engage a temporary workforce through seasonal contracts during the Hajj period
RIYADH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched the Ajeer Al-Hajj service for this year’s Hajj season.
The initiative allows businesses to engage a temporary workforce through seasonal contracts during the Hajj period.
The ministry is encouraging Saudis and expatriate residents interested in working at the holy sites during the Hajj season to upload their CVs on the Ajeer portal, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
This integrated platform connects job seekers with available positions, facilitating workforce management and streamlining processes for both businesses and workers during the Hajj season.
The launch of Ajeer Al-Hajj aligns with the ministry’s broader strategy to enhance services for pilgrims and improve their experience during this sacred period.
Establishments are now required to issue Hajj permits for individuals employed on a seasonal basis, with strict penalties for non-compliance, the SPA reported.
This service enables businesses to issue work permits and recruit temporary staff, as well as advertise job vacancies specifically designed for the Hajj season. Job seekers can access these opportunities and apply directly through the platform.
The key goals of Ajeer Al-Hajj are to foster workforce flexibility, boost market efficiency, and reduce reliance on external recruitment sources, according to the SPA.
The service is accessible online in a streamlined manner for businesses and individuals through the following website: https://www.ajeer.com.sa.
2,000 religious leaders attend Muslim World League conference in Kuala Lumpur
- MWL co-organized international gathering with the Malaysian government
- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers speech during the conference
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 2,000 religious leaders and scholars from 57 countries gathered in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday for a conference organized by the Muslim World League to discuss the role of religion in facilitating dialogue and peace initiatives.
The MWL, an international non-governmental Islamic organization founded in Saudi Arabia in 1962, organized the 2024 International Conference of Religious Leaders with Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development.
The conference was inaugurated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and MWL Secretary-General Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa.
“This religious conference will be an annual feature in Malaysia since it has proved successful in building an understanding and affinity among religions in the world, as well as in Malaysia,” Anwar said during his speech.
“In a conference like this, we can observe the things that need to be done and need to be improved among Muslims, Christians, Buddhists or Hindus. We want to listen to your advice, criticisms and suggestions.”
While about two-thirds of Malaysia’s more than 33 million population are Muslims, there are also large Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian minorities in the country.
“Religious leaders should take an active, effective and courageous role in promoting peace and justice. It is the duty of religious leaders to ensure that governance is guided by strong moral and ethical values,” Anwar said.
Al-Issa said the conference seeks to have a tangible impact.
“This international conference was attended by international, religious, political, intellectual, academic and media leaders. It is considered the first nucleus of a major breakthrough through a number of initiatives and programs around the world, aiming to enhance friendship and cooperation between nations and peoples,” he said.
“Our world is most in need of true solidarity, solidarity with a tangible impact, and is most in need of awareness of the threats threatening its global peace and the harmony of its diverse national communities in their religions and races.”
