MAKKAH: The Houthis have obstructed the departure of thousands of Yemeni pilgrims from areas under their control on their way to Makkah to perform Hajj, said Yemen’s Ministry of Endowments and Guidance.
The ministry’s undersecretary for Hajj and Umrah, Mukhtar Al-Rubash, said Houthi militias have seized the passports of more than 2,000 pilgrims and obstructed hundreds of others. In a statement carried by the Yemeni News Agency, he condemned the obstructions.
In Makkah, Dr. Ahmed Atiyah, Yemeni minister of endowment and guidance, received the first batch of pilgrims from his country.
He expressed appreciation for the coordination between Saudi and Yemeni officials in assisting pilgrims.
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Houthis obstruct Yemeni Hajj pilgrims
Houthis obstruct Yemeni Hajj pilgrims
Saudi and New Zealand foreign ministers discussed Mideast situation
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the current situation in the Middle East with New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Peters expressed New Zealand’s condemnation of Iran’s indiscriminate attacks on the Kingdom and thanked Riyadh for its efforts to protect foreign nationals, including New Zealanders inside the Kingdom.
The Saudi military has shot down numerous missiles and drones fired by Tehran toward the Kingdom since the US and Israel began a large-scale military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said early Tuesday that it had shot down a ballistic missile in the Eastern Province after knocking out several drones targeting the Shaybah oil field in the Empty quarter on Friday evening.
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