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Homs Clashes Raise Minority Concerns... Security Campaign in Al-Ghor Reveals Fragility
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Events in Rural Homs Reveal Need to Adopt Approach Respecting Regional Privacy and Preventing Repetition of Previous Regime's Suppression Policies

Syrian security forces launched a large-scale military operation in the western town of Al-Ghor in rural Homs, resulting in at least six deaths, in a dangerous development raising serious concerns about the policy of excessive force in dealing with Syria's diverse regions.
Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, revealed to AFP the nature of the targeted area, explaining that it "used to include local groups close to Lebanese Hezbollah," noting that these groups left the area following the fall of Assad's regime on December 8.
The official Syrian news agency (SANA) reported details of the clashes, quoting a source in the General Security Administration that the campaign targeted "weapons warehouses, drug dealers, smugglers, and remnants of Assad's militias who refused to surrender their weapons," confirming the seizure of "a weapons and ammunition depot belonging to the defunct regime."
Concerns have escalated about the implications of using excessive force in the Shiite-majority area, especially with security forces using tanks and heavy weapons in the operation, in a scene reminding Syrians of the previous regime's practices.
Syrian affairs experts view that the military operation in Al-Ghor reveals the continuation of a centralized approach in managing Syrian regions, ignoring their social and religious specificity, which may deepen rifts in the social fabric.
Concerns are increasing among Syrian components about the possibility of repeating the previous regime's policies in dealing with sectarian-diverse areas, despite repeated statements by the new Syrian leadership about respecting the rights of all components.
Observers confirm that continuing the security grip policy in dealing with Syrian regions contradicts the requirements of the transitional phase, which calls for building trust between various components.
Field reports indicate the arrest of dozens during the military campaign, especially those who have not settled their status with the new authorities, raising fears of a return to mass arrest policies.
Experts emphasize the need to adopt an approach that respects the privacy of Syrian regions and guarantees the rights of all their components, noting that centralized governance experiences in Syria have proven their failure in achieving stability and development.
Concerns continue about the new authority's tendency toward establishing a religious system of governance, excluding Syrian components, and excluding women from political work, despite repeated reassurance messages directed by officials to various Syrian components and the international community.
Local sources confirm that the situation in western rural Homs remains tense, with continuing military and security reinforcements in the area, increasing concerns of local residents and threatening the region's stability.
Levant-Agencies
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
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.”
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