Affecting Hundreds.. Raid and Arrest Campaigns Sweep Major Syrian Cities
The absence of judicial guarantees in arrest operations indicates a repetition of past mistakes, necessitating international intervention to protect civilians
January 4, 2025, 9:41 pm

Affecting Hundreds.. Raid and Arrest Campaigns Sweep Major Syrian Cities

حمص / أرشيفية

Search and raid operations have continued in Homs, central Syria, for days under the pretext of pursuing war criminals and former regime elements refusing to settle their status, in a widespread security campaign raising fears of renewed repression in a new form.

Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath correspondent revealed the detention of security leaders and officials from former regime prisons, while the "Military Operations Administration" confiscated weapons belonging to former regime elements in Homs and its surroundings, amid escalating security tensions in the region.

The "Military Operations Administration" of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham told Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath that it is tracking remnants of the former regime and Hezbollah elements in Homs, having previously announced the seizure of an ammunition depot in Al-Zahraa neighborhood.

The number of detainees reached about 150 people in Homs alone, while General Security Administration forces carried out a similar campaign in Aleppo city, amid fears of targeting civilians and lack of legal guarantees.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights revealed the arrest of individuals involved in the 2012 Karm al-Zeitoun massacre, at a time when areas under the new administration's control are experiencing security instability.

The Interior Ministry of the interim government formed by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani launched a comprehensive survey operation of Homs and Rural Damascus neighborhoods last week, coinciding with hundreds of former soldiers and officers surrendering themselves to settle their status.

Observers reported from local sources that several officials, military personnel, and politicians fled the country fearing prosecution, amid escalating arrest and raid campaigns.

These developments come a month after the "Military Operations Administration" led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani took control of Damascus on December 8, 2024, and the flee of former Syrian regime head Bashar al-Assad, at a time when voices calling for implementing a federal system that ensures the rights of all Syrian components and limits the control of extremist organizations are rising.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”