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Rising Tensions Between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces Over the Future of Syria

Tensions have renewed between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) just weeks after signing an agreement between the two parties, as fundamental disagreements regarding the concept of national unity and the future of northeastern Syria come to the forefront.
In an official statement, the Syrian presidency confirmed that the recent statements from the SDF, which call for federalism or secession, contradict the essence of the agreement made with President Ahmad al-Shara. It emphasized that the unity of Syria is a "red line" that will not be crossed, warning against any projects that threaten national identity or promote division.
For his part, academic and political researcher Moayad Ghazlan explained in a statement to "Sky News Arabia" that there is a revival of a general national sentiment that enhances the idea of a unifying national identity, which exceeds ethnic affiliations. He added that the Kurdish National Conference issued a final statement that they regard as a "constitutional declaration," criticizing its marginalization of the Arab majority in the Jazira region.
Ghazlan warned that the SDF's demands for the establishment of a "comprehensive political entity" for the Kurds in Syria could pave the way for the creation of a "state within a state," considering it a violation of the idea of decentralization.
On the other hand, writer and political researcher Rustam Mahmoud denied the accusations directed at the Kurds regarding aspirations for secession, emphasizing that their demands fall within the framework of their national, cultural, and political rights within a unified Syrian state. He confirmed that the agreement between President al-Shara and SDF leader Mazloum Abdi was focused on the reintegration of military and security institutions, stating that the Kurdish issue requires further negotiation.
Conversely, Ghazlan pointed out that the SDF has not effectively applied decentralization in the areas it controls, having centralized decision-making and prevented other forces from local governance, which raises doubts about the seriousness of their demands.
Ghazlan warned of the similarity between the SDF's experience and that of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in 2017, suggesting that Damascus organize a conference for the Arab majority in the Jazira region, which constitutes more than 80% of the population, to present their vision.
In conclusion, Mahmoud emphasized the importance of protecting minority rights as part of the concept of democracy, stressing that the constitution should be a social contract that is consensus-based among all components, not merely a ruling for the majority.
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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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