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Kidnapper Killed and Another Injured.. Engineer and Merchant Freed from Gang's Grip in "Afrin"
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Repeated kidnapping operations indicate the transformation of Turkish-backed factions into criminal gangs exploiting civilians to collect money through illegal means

The "Afrin Now" page revealed details of a security incident that took place in Afrin city yesterday Monday, where a security operation targeted a kidnapping gang's den affiliated with the Hamza Division, which operates under Turkish-backed armed militias, in an area experiencing increasing security breakdown.
The news page explained that the operation resulted in the liberation of two kidnapped individuals: civil engineer Hassan Ibrahim Al-Khamis, who was kidnapped 13 days ago from Al-Hamdaniya neighborhood in Aleppo city, with demands for $100,000 for his release, in a recurring pattern of financial extortion practiced by armed groups.
The second victim was businessman Mohammed Ahmed Al-Humaidi, who specializes in livestock trade, who was kidnapped from his office in Al-Naqarin town in rural Aleppo. The kidnappers demanded a similar amount for his release, confirming an organized approach in kidnapping operations and ransom determination.
Sources reported that the operation, carried out yesterday evening, targeted the gang's headquarters in Afrin city, where the headquarters was surrendered after a limited exchange of gunfire between the group's members and security forces, resulting in the death of one kidnapper and the injury of another during the confrontation.
According to Syrian affairs observers, this operation is one of a series of ongoing crimes committed by Turkish-backed armed factions in northern Syria, where these groups have transformed from military factions into criminal militias practicing kidnapping, extortion, and imposing royalties.
Human rights reports indicated dozens of kidnapping cases recorded in areas under the control of Turkish-backed militias during the past months, with increasing targeting of businessmen, merchants, engineers, and capital owners to obtain large financial ransoms, in the absence of any deterrent measures by the Turkish authorities supervising these factions.
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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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