Sheltered by Russia… Coastal Displaced Persons Refuse to Leave Hmeimim for Fear of Reprisal
The displaced people's refusal to leave the Russian base reflects a deep distrust in the security assurances of the new authorities and highlights the persistent fear of ongoing violations in the regi
March 17, 2025, 6:12 pm

Sheltered by Russia… Coastal Displaced Persons Refuse to Leave Hmeimim for Fear of Reprisal

مطار حميميم

The Russian-operated "Hmeimim" base hosted Amjad Sultan, director of Jableh district under the Syrian interim government, during his visit to citizens who had taken refuge there to escape the recent surge of violence and abuses sweeping the Syrian coastal region.

The official from the transitional government attempted to reassure those seeking shelter at the base, claiming that security had been restored in their villages and that the situation was now stable, just like in areas where other displaced persons had previously returned. This appeared to be a deliberate effort to obscure the ongoing violations in the region.

He further presented the so-called measures taken by the interim government to reinforce security and provide basic needs to ensure a safe and stable return of displaced residents, disregarding their genuine fears.

It is worth noting that the civilians sheltering in the Russian "Hmeimim" base have categorically refused to leave since their arrival, fearing death and retaliation, exposing the falsity of official claims regarding restored security.

In an attempt to improve its image, the security apparatus of the interim government claimed to be rehabilitating infrastructure. Work teams from the Transformer Station Maintenance Department in Latakia province alleged they were repairing transformers said to have been "sabotaged by remnants of the former regime" and "targeted by gunfire"—a justification for the damage inflicted on infrastructure during recent events.

Meanwhile, pro-government media claimed that gas operations had resumed at the "Sadcop" plant in Baniyas after days of suspension, attributing the shutdown to "attacks by remnants of the former regime," a clear attempt to justify the ongoing disruptions in basic services.

The interim government’s security forces continue their campaign to disarm civilians, claiming they had received around 600 light weapons from local dignitaries in rural Qadmous, Tartus province—a move aimed at tightening control over the region.

In Hama province, the government’s security agencies also claimed they had arrested an alleged "member of the remnants of the former regime involved in recent events" in the Wadi al-Oyoun area. However, observers believe such accusations are being used to justify arbitrary arrest campaigns targeting civilians.

Similarly, in Latakia province, the interim government’s security forces claimed to have received a cache of weapons from residents in the village of Ghaniri, near Jableh, under a prior agreement with local elders—an ongoing effort to strip civilians of arms to facilitate control over them.

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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.”