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UK Foreign Secretary Calls Reports of Civilian Killings in Syria 'Horrific'
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British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expresses deep concern over reports documenting the killing of hundreds of civilians in Syria’s coastal region, urging the need for transitional justice

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Sunday condemned reports of large-scale civilian killings in western Syria, describing them as "horrific" and calling for the protection of all Syrians amid the ongoing turmoil.
In a post on platform "X," Lammy emphasized that "the reports of mass civilian casualties in Syria’s coastal region due to ongoing violence are deeply shocking." He further stressed the importance of establishing "a clear path toward transitional justice" in the country.
His statement comes amid a dangerous escalation in Syria’s coastal cities since last Thursday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 830 civilians from the Alawite sect were killed by Syrian security forces and affiliated militias.
Meanwhile, local sources in the town of Taanina, in rural Tartus, indicated that the situation in the Syrian coast suggests a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing, where civilians are being targeted under the pretext of their alleged affiliation with the "remnants of the former regime."
The sources added that "a convoy of unruly armed factions from the Sultan Murad Brigade and Hamza Division entered the city of Baniyas and remained there for two days, during which they carried out mass executions in the Al-Qusour neighborhood, targeting Alawite residents, and set entire homes ablaze."
With increasing reports of ethnic cleansing in Syria’s coastal region, international pressure is mounting on the Syrian transitional government to ensure accountability for these massacres. However, questions remain about the extent to which the international community can intervene to halt the cycle of violence.
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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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