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Seven Lean Years.. Questions About Damascus's Position on the Afrin Issue
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Observers fear that the new authorities' lack of a clear position on the Afrin issue represents continued coordination with Ankara at the expense of indigenous residents' rights

The Kurdish-majority region of Afrin in northwestern Syria continues to suffer under Turkish control after seven years, where the area witnesses systematic campaigns to erase its identity through forced displacement and property confiscation.
The "Bride of the North" has become a theater for various types of violations, from kidnapping and torture to enforcing Turkish language learning, alongside the destruction of its architectural landmarks and burning of olive orchards.
Sheikh Riyadh Darar, a leader in the Syrian Democratic Council, told the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that the new authorities' position on the Afrin issue lacks clarity, pointing to continued coordination with Ankara.
Saleh Muslim, co-chair of the Democratic Union Party, confirmed that Afrin represents a "bleeding wound" requiring urgent treatment, pledging to return the displaced and achieve transitional justice. Meanwhile, analyst Hussein Omar emphasized that the Turkish occupation seeks to annex the region as part of an expansionist plan including other areas, ruling out a voluntary withdrawal of Turkish forces.
The displaced from Afrin await an agreement guaranteeing their return home and the restoration of their stolen rights within the framework of building a new Syria based on a decentralized system that protects diversity.
Turkish policies in Afrin reveal attempts to create a new demographic reality through settling pro-Ankara elements in flagrant violation of international law, while Turkish-backed factions continue their violations in the region, exploiting the new authorities' ambiguous position regarding the occupied territories file.
Levant-Agencies
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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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