While Heading to Raqqa.. Twenty Druze Citizens Detained and Growing Concern About Them
The repeated detention of Druze civil activists and participants in cultural events raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and movement for religious minorities in various Syrian regions
April 6, 2025, 10:52 pm

While Heading to Raqqa.. Twenty Druze Citizens Detained and Growing Concern About Them

The detention of 20 Druze citizens from Sweida province continues in one of the security branches, following their arrest by General Security personnel in Homs province yesterday.

This incident represents a concerning development that raises fears among members of the Druze community amid the absence of clear information about the reasons for the arrest and the charges against the detainees.

According to sources, "the Druze detainees" were participating in the "Tamassuk" forum in Damascus, and while traveling to Raqqa province to participate in another activity, they were stopped and taken to a security branch, without knowing the charges against them, amid secrecy surrounding their fate.

On March 14, General Security personnel arrested 4 Druze young men at a checkpoint on "Ghassan Harfoush" street in Latakia, then transferred them to an unknown location, without information about their fate or the charges against them.

The recurrence of these incidents reflects a concerning pattern in dealing with Druze citizens, increasing the state of mistrust and tension between components of Syrian society.

These incidents have sparked a wave of criticism on social media platforms, with voices demanding disclosure of the fate of the Druze detainees and clarification of the legal reasons behind their detention.

Fears about the safety of Druze detainees are mounting amid circulating news about discriminatory practices and harsh treatment they may be subjected to during detention.

Reports have emerged about some Druze detainees being subjected to sectarian insults and humiliating practices, according to a Druze activist who spoke about details of his torture in Harem prison by General Security. These testimonies highlight fears of a sectarian approach in dealing with Druze detainees, intensifying sectarian tension.

Human rights organizations demand immediate disclosure of the fate of detained Druze citizens and providing legal guarantees for them, including the right to contact their families and obtain legal representation. Observers confirm that the continued targeting of Druze undermines efforts for peaceful coexistence between various components of Syrian society and reinforces sectarian division.

Sources from Sweida province, the main stronghold of the Druze community in Syria, indicate that these incidents have caused a state of frustration and apprehension among residents, especially with increasing talk about systematic targeting of members of the sect. This growing concern reflects the scale of challenges facing the Druze community in Syria during the current phase amid demands to guarantee their rights as equal citizens.

Informed sources reported that Druze detainees face difficulties in communicating with their families, with no information about their detention conditions and potential charges against them. These practices increase the sense of marginalization and targeting among members of the Druze community, which may push toward more congestion in Sweida province and other areas of Druze presence.

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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.
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.”