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Warning of Its Impact on Stability… Successive Waves of Syrian Refugees Threaten Lebanon’s Security
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The continuous influx of Syrian refugees from diverse political and sectarian backgrounds poses a significant security challenge to Lebanon, necessitating high-level intelligence coordination to preve

Former Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Sharbel has warned that the presence of various groups of Syrian refugees in Lebanon creates a highly complex situation that could potentially destabilize the country.
In remarks to Novosti, Sharbel stated:
"The influx of different groups of Syrian refugees seeking shelter in Lebanon has created an extremely dangerous situation. In the past, those fleeing to Lebanon opposed the former Syrian regime, while the latest wave consists mostly of Alawite refugees. This mix could lead to tensions and conflicts between the two sides, impacting Lebanon’s stability.”
He emphasized that Lebanon’s circumstances require ongoing coordination at the highest levels between the military intelligence agency, security forces, and Lebanese citizens to prevent any potential escalation.
Terror Cell Dismantled Amid Security Concerns
A Lebanese security source revealed on Tuesday that the country’s military intelligence successfully carried out a special operation to uncover and dismantle a major ISIS-affiliated cell that had been planning a series of terrorist attacks across Lebanon.
Meanwhile, on March 6, violent clashes erupted between Syrian security forces and the army on one side, and opposition factions opposing the new government in Damascus on the other, in the Syrian provinces of Latakia and Tartus.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 1,500 Alawite civilians have been killed since the fighting began in Syria’s coastal region.
Syria’s interim caretaker government’s Ministry of Defense reported the deaths of 231 security personnel in the clashes. By March 10, the ministry announced that military operations had concluded and the situation had stabilized.
Escalating Concerns Over Refugee Influx
Sharbel’s warning comes amid growing fears that recent tensions in Syria’s coastal regions could spill over into Lebanon, especially with new waves of refugees fleeing the conflict zones.
Lebanon, which officially hosts over one million registered Syrian refugees, is already struggling with immense pressure on its infrastructure, essential services, and fragile economy, exacerbating the country’s ongoing crisis.
Estimates suggest that the actual number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon may exceed 1.5 million—roughly a quarter of the country’s total population. This demographic strain places overwhelming burdens on the Lebanese state and raises serious concerns about potential security and social repercussions.
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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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