Musk’s Comment Sparks Controversy… Washington Condemns Violence in Syria
Elon Musk’s remark on the Syrian coastal events ignites global debate over media coverage, raising questions about the selective attention of some outlets to sectarian massacres
March 9, 2025, 7:16 pm

Musk’s Comment Sparks Controversy… Washington Condemns Violence in Syria

إيلون ماسك (ليفانت نيوز)

American businessman Elon Musk has stirred widespread controversy after commenting on the bloody violence in Syria’s coastal region. His inquiry about the number of casualties prompted many to reconsider the Western media’s coverage of these massacres.

Musk’s comment came in response to a post by Swedish journalist Peter Imanuelsen on platform "X," where he questioned, "Why is mainstream media ignoring the slaughter of Christians in Syria?" Musk replied with a straightforward question: "How many have been killed?"—highlighting the scale of violence in the region.

This interaction comes amid an unprecedented escalation in Syria. The U.S. State Department issued an official statement condemning "Islamist extremist terrorists, including foreign jihadists, who have killed civilians in western Syria in recent days."

Washington further stressed that "transitional authorities in Syria must ensure accountability for those responsible for massacres targeting minorities," referencing the growing tensions in the area.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the death toll has surged significantly, reaching 1,018 fatalities by Saturday evening, including 745 civilians killed in sectarian massacres.

In a significant development, the Syrian presidency announced on Sunday evening the formation of an independent national committee to investigate the "coastal events," aiming to uncover the facts and identify those responsible for the escalating security crisis.

Musk’s comment raises further questions about the role of Western media in covering international crises and whether his remarks will prompt greater global attention to the ongoing violence in Syria.

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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.
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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.”