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Washington Supports Continued SDF Guarding of ISIS Extremist Prisons
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The U.S. position supporting Syrian Democratic Forces' continued prison guard duty reflects recognition of importance in preventing ISIS resurgence

The U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have emphasized their absolute refusal to hand over ISIS prisons to the new administration in Damascus, amid escalating concerns about the extremist organization's attempts to exploit current unrest to reorganize its ranks.
An official at Hasakah prison, which holds about 4,500 ISIS fighters including many foreigners, spoke about the risks of increased organization activity, stating: "When the Syrian regime fell... Islamic State seized many weapons, and they will reorganize themselves to attack the prisons."
Security sources highlighted the SDF's success in thwarting two ISIS attempts to storm prisons since Assad's regime fell on December 8, confirming the seriousness of threats posed by the extremist organization.
Reuters correspondents, who were able to visit the heavily fortified Hasakah prison, reported testimonies from three foreign detainees from Britain, Russia, and Germany, while officials confirmed that "prison protection is the responsibility of the Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces only."
The American supportive position of the Kurds was evident in statements by former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who emphasized that enabling the SDF to continue their mission in "securing foreign terrorist fighters" represents an essential element in preventing the extremist organization's reemergence.
Concerns are mounting about the implications of sharp disagreements between the SDF and the new administration regarding the mechanism for integrating forces into the Syrian security system, as the forces reject the new Defense Ministry's demands for dissolution.
Security experts have raised concerns about extremist elements infiltrating the ranks of forces that controlled Damascus, based on monitoring individuals carrying ISIS flags among these forces.
Military analysts indicate that the SDF's experience in combating ISIS, demonstrated in liberating Raqqa in 2017 and Baghouz in 2019, makes them most capable of continuing the prison guard mission.
Intelligence reports confirm that ISIS seeks to exploit the unstable security situation across most of Syria, despite the new administration's announcement of thwarting an organization attack on a Shiite shrine near Damascus on January 11.
The crisis is complicated by Turkey's intervention, with Ankara demanding the handover of prisons to the new administration in Damascus, considering Kurdish factions a threat to its national security.
Concerns are increasing about the implications of the dispute over prison administration on security stability in the region, especially with ISIS's continued attempts to reorganize and exploit any potential security gaps.
Levant-Reuters
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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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