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Iranian Militias Pressure Afrin Displaced People.. By Kidnapping 50 of Them North of Aleppo
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The kidnapping of civilians and using them as bargaining chips reveals the transformation of areas under Iranian militias into organized crime hotspots

Pro-Iranian militias in Al-Zahraa city in northern Aleppo countryside kidnapped about 50 civilians from Afrin's displaced people and its countryside, including women and children, after confiscating their cars and leading them to unknown locations.
These militias set up checkpoints on the international road between Aleppo and Afrin, forcing displaced people to resort to alternative, risky routes to avoid falling victim to kidnapping and arrest operations.
The kidnapping campaign comes following Asayish forces' arrest of a group of drug dealers from Al-Zahraa city, with militias seeking to use the kidnapped as bargaining chips to release those involved in drug trafficking.
Concern prevails among civilians with escalating violations in Iranian militia-controlled areas, especially after a similar incident on June 25th.
Facts reveal the involvement of Nubl and Al-Zahraa cities' militants in drug trafficking, where they previously intercepted Afrin displaced people's path and detained their vehicles in response to Kurdish forces' arrest of drug smugglers from the area.
Civilians are forced to take rough roads where highway robbers spread, after pro-Iranian Nubl and Al-Zahraa militants prevented traffic movement on the Afrin-Aleppo road.
Observers view these practices as reflecting the transformation of Iranian-backed militias into organized criminal networks, combining drug trafficking with civilian extortion.
Estimates indicate that the absence of rule of law in militia-controlled areas facilitates their transformation into zones of influence for gangs and drug dealers. Human rights activists confirm the necessity of international community intervention to stop escalating violations against civilians in Iranian militia-controlled areas.
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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