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In Raqqa.. The Regime Blends Legislative and Military Powers, Appoints a Parliamentarian to Lead a Militia
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The appointment of a People's Council member to lead a local militia indicates the Syrian regime's increasing reliance on personal loyalties in managing areas under its control

The Syrian regime's decision to appoint a member of the so-called "People's Council" to lead a local militia has sparked a wave of questions about the motives behind this move and its implications. The regime has assigned the task of leading the "National Defense" militia in the Raqqa countryside area to Jamal Hussein Al-Hussein Al-Shahbar, who is a member of the regime's legislative council.
This step is not unusual in the context of the Syrian conflict, where it combines legislative and military powers in one person. Observers see this appointment as indicative of a strategy followed by the regime to strengthen its grip on different areas.
The choice of a local figure for this position appears to aim at exploiting Al-Shahbar's social and political influence in the region. By combining his role as a member of the People's Council and leader of a local militia, the regime seeks to consolidate the loyalty of local residents and ensure effective control on the ground.
This decision raises concerns about the increasing militarization of civil institutions in Syria and the deepening of sectarian and tribal divisions. It also raises questions about the independence of the legislative authority and its ability to perform its oversight role in light of this overlap with military tasks.
On the other hand, this appointment may reflect the Syrian regime's lack of human resources, forcing it to rely on multi-role personalities to manage different areas, even those not under its control. It may also be an indicator of the growing influence of local militias at the expense of the regular army.
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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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