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Delay and Ambiguity: Doubts About the Credibility of Syrian Coastal Events Investigation Committee
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The delays in announcing investigation results raise serious questions about the committee's seriousness and independence from parties involved in the unfortunate events on the Syrian coast

The investigation committee for the events that occurred on the Syrian coast in early March stated yesterday, Tuesday, that it has documented dozens of testimonies so far, while emphasizing that it's still too early to reveal investigation results—a move raising more questions about the seriousness of these investigations.
The committee's official spokesperson, Yasser Al-Farhan, stressed during a media briefing in Damascus that investigations continue regarding events that occurred between March 6-8 in the coastal region, for which the Syrian interim caretaker government announced the committee's formation. However, no clear timeframe was specified for completing the investigations.
Al-Farhan added that the committee began its field work on March 14, when members went to Latakia governorate and held meetings with official and security entities, speaking with "hundreds of family members and witnesses"—a step that comes significantly late after the events occurred, raising fears about loss of evidence and witness intimidation.
As a result of these meetings, the committee recorded "more than 95 statements" and received "more than 30 audio and written reports through direct communication with its members," noting that the committee continues to receive messages through electronic platforms, but without any indicators about the nature or content of these statements.
Authorities accused militants loyal to deposed President Bashar al-Assad of igniting violence in the coastal region by launching attacks on their personnel, and sent military reinforcements to the area, reflecting the continued security approach to handling crises instead of adopting political solutions.
Al-Farhan mentioned that the committee has completed examining "93 pieces of digital evidence either publicly circulated or obtained privately," and has met with the UN International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UN Special Envoy for Syria team, in an attempt to give international legitimacy to its work.
According to Al-Farhan, the committee plans to continue "its fact-finding work and witness hearings in Latakia" and intends to "move during the upcoming period to Tartus, Baniyas, Hama, and Idlib regions." He emphasized that it's still premature to "disclose details," which reinforces doubts about the transparency of the committee's work.
While the committee claimed it had not suffered any "attacks from regime remnants... or any threats," it admitted that the region "still has perpetrators of crimes against humanity outside justice," and therefore "movement in the area is dangerous," raising serious questions about the committee's ability to work freely and independently.
Al-Farhan noted: "Until now, we are waiting for the transitional justice law to be issued in Syria," adding that "there is a likelihood among Syrians... that a special national court will be established to prosecute those involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity," reflecting the absence of a clear legal framework for accountability and suggesting that investigation results may not lead to genuine accountability.
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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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