Civilian victims in Israeli bombardment on Daraa
March 18, 2025, 10:01 am

Civilian victims in Israeli bombardment on Daraa

الدفاع المدني السوري(درعا)

Israeli forces launched airstrikes targeting military sites and civilian areas in the city of Daraa, southern Syria, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to 19 others, including four children and a woman, as well as injuries to three volunteers from the Syrian Civil Defense.

The Civil Defense clarified that the first strike targeted a military barracks belonging to the 132nd Brigade, causing shrapnel to fly into the neighboring residential area of Masaken Al-Dhahiyah, leading to injuries among civilians and material damage.

During the rescue operations, another building between the residential area and the 132nd Brigade was hit by a second airstrike, leading to more casualties and injuries, in addition to injuring three volunteers from the search and rescue teams, and damaging their ambulance.

According to a Civil Defense statement, the teams were able to provide first aid to the injured within the residential district and retrieved the body of one of the victims who was killed at the entrance of the neighborhood while riding a motorcycle. The teams also worked to remove the rubble and open roads blocked due to the bombardment.

In a related context, local media reported intensive Israeli aircraft activity in the area, alongside reconnaissance planes. Videos shared on social media showed scenes of fire erupting in one of the buildings in Daraa, with thick smoke rising.

In a statement published on the X platform, the Israeli army announced that the strikes targeted "military objectives" in southern Syria, including headquarters containing military equipment from the former regime that is currently being rehabilitated, emphasizing that this equipment poses a security threat. The Israeli army stated that it "will not allow any military threat in southern Syria and will take necessary measures against it."

These strikes occur within the framework of the ongoing escalation of Israeli operations in Syria, where Israel has controlled 1,150 square kilometers of the Golan Heights since the 1967 war and announced its annexation in 1981, a move that has not been recognized by the international community.

More than 350 killed in Gaza in a few hours The leader of the Ismaili community offers 100 million euros in support of the Syrian government

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.”