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Subject to U.S. Sanctions.. War Crimes Suspect Seeks to Participate in National Dialogue
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Attempts to rehabilitate former war criminals reveal the danger of leniency in holding accountable those involved in crimes against Syrian civilians

Sources in Damascus monitored the addition of a new war crimes suspect to the list of criminals seeking to settle their status with the new authorities, in a controversial attempt to return to the political scene.
Activists in the Syrian capital reported to Aks Al-Sair website that Fadi Saqr, the former commander of the National Defense militias in rural Damascus who is accused of involvement in the Al-Tadamon massacre, has begun settling his status similar to what Talal Makhlouf, former Republican Guard commander, and Mohammad Hamsho, a close associate of the deposed Assad family, had done.
The sources indicate that Saqr previously managed the Consumer Institution branch in Al-Zablatani, then the Institution in Damascus, benefiting from his relationship with Major General Bassam Al-Hassan nicknamed "Al-Khal" (The Uncle), founder of the National Defense Forces and one of the prominent security officials close to the former regime.
Facts indicate that Saqr later assumed the position of Director of the National Defense Center in Damascus, supervising its leadership in all Syrian governorates, while participating in numerous battles in Ghouta, Jobar, and other areas.
Local circles circulate accounts of crimes committed by Saqr, including his order to arrest a citizen from Idlib and throw him from a bridge near Al-Zablatani checkpoint, though it should be noted that this account could not be verified from independent sources.
Sources revealed Saqr's involvement in smuggling contraband and weapons, until he became one of the most notorious and wealthy mafiosi and warlords in the region, with his influence expanding to participate in selecting candidates for party branch leadership and People's Assembly positions.
Damascus sources reported that Saqr has recently been promoting claims about meeting with the military operations commander and collecting names of candidates to participate in an upcoming national dialogue, claiming he will represent the Alawite sect in it.
Saqr, who hails from rural Jableh, currently resides in the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus and has been subject to U.S. sanctions since 2020 for his involvement in crimes against the Syrian people.
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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