Egypt revokes licences of 16 tourism companies after 530 Hajj deaths

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday (22 June) revoked the licences of 16 tourism companies and referred their managers to the public prosecutor over illegal pilgrimages to Mecca, accusing them of being responsible for the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims in the city.

"The prime minister has ordered the cancellation of the licences of these companies, the referral of their managers to the public prosecutor and the imposition of a fine in favour of the families of the pilgrims who died because of them," the Egyptian cabinet statement said.

The cabinet statement said that more than 50,000 Egyptians had officially joined the pilgrimage and that there had been "31 deaths as a result of chronic diseases". The order also came after countries whose citizens performed this year's hajj reported more than 1,100 deaths, many blamed on the scorching summer heat in Saudi Arabia.

Medical and security sources say at least 530 Egyptians died during this year's hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, while the statement from the unit, formed on Thursday and headed by Prime Minister Madbouly, said 31 deaths had been confirmed as a result of chronic illness.

Source: commonspace.eu with agencies

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Aden under curfew, as problem in Yemen's south deepens

8 January 2026

The port city of Aden, in Yemen's south, has been put under curfew, as the rift in the country between the Saudi led coalition which backs Yemen's presidential governing council, and the southern forces led by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), deepens. Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami, a member of the Yemeni Presidential Governing Council and commander of the al-Amalik brigades, has ordered a curfew in the temporary capital, Aden, "to maintain security". "A curfew has been imposed throughout Aden Governorate from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., in accordance with the instructions of Commander Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami, a member of the Presidential Management Council," the statement said. It states that only security and military personnel, as well as medical and technical teams with approved permits, will be allowed to move in the area during these hours. Yemen's presidential council, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and which already is in a struggle with the Houthi Movement in the north of the country who also occupy the capital Sanaa, two days ago issued an order for the arrest of the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC),, Aidarous al Zubaidi. The STC have wide support among people in the South, and advocate that South Yemen restores its independence. The coalition warned of further escalation in Aden, long regarded as an STC stronghold, as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) chief accused STC leader Aidarous Al Zubaidi of “high treason” and announced the revocation of his membership in the governing body. The moves mark a sharp escalation in tensions within the anti-Houthi camp, despite National Shield Forces, rivals of the STC and former allies, having recently retaken control of Hadhramaut and Mahra from southern fighters. The STC’s takeover of the two regions last month angered Saudi Arabia and contributed to igniting the current internal conflict. (click the picture to read more)

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