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Erdogan Discusses Integration of SDF with Syrian Administration During his Talk with Putin
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It appears that Ankara now prefers a strategy of containing Kurdish forces within Syria's official institutions rather than military confrontation which has not fully achieved its objectives

Coinciding with recent developments and the understanding reached between the new Syrian administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
The Turkish presidency reported on Friday that during the phone call, Erdogan told Putin that Syria's resources should be handed over to the Syrian leadership, reflecting a shift in Turkey's approach which for years had refused any recognition of the organized Kurdish presence in northeastern Syria.
He emphasized the necessity of integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the central government, showing Turkey's pragmatic acceptance of the importance of finding a formula for coexistence with Kurdish forces after failed attempts to end their presence militarily.
The presidency also mentioned that Erdogan highlighted to Putin the importance of joint cooperation for sustainable stability in Syria, stopping practices that fuel sectarian violence, and lifting sanctions. This indicates a new Turkish approach that leans toward consensual solutions rather than military approaches that have not achieved the desired results.
The Turkish President also expressed his gratitude for coordination with Russia regarding Syria, confirming Turkey's continued reliance on the Russian role in arranging the Syrian landscape despite previous disagreements over handling the Kurdish file.
Regarding Ukraine, the Turkish presidency reported that President Erdogan informed Putin during the phone call that taking measures to ensure navigation safety in the Black Sea would contribute to peace efforts with Ukraine, adding that Ankara is ready to contribute to these efforts.
The statement clarified that Erdogan told Putin that Turkey is closely monitoring peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia and renewed his offer to host negotiations.
It's worth noting that a group of Syrian Kurdish parties, under American and French sponsorship and supervised by Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, had formulated a historic understanding defining a unified vision for their future. This indicates the growing strength of the Kurdish bloc that Turkey is now forced to deal with realistically.
This development came after Syria's interim transitional president Ahmed al-Shara signed an agreement on March 10 with the SDF commander in Damascus for the latter to join the new Syrian army.
This agreement, which coincided with a politically sensitive phase in the country a few months after the fall of former regime president Bashar al-Assad, stipulated the integration of civil and military institutions under SDF control in the northeastern part of the country into the state, and placing border crossings, airport, and oil and gas fields there under the supervision of the new administration in Damascus.
While Turkey welcomed the announcement, al-Shara issued the "Constitutional Declaration" three days after this signing, which omitted any reference to the Kurds. This sparked dissatisfaction from the Syrian Democratic Council, the political umbrella of the SDF, reflecting the continuing complexities in the Syrian landscape despite Turkey's new approach toward the Kurdish issue.
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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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