The Fire of Sedition Consumes the Demographic Fabric of the Country
May 1, 2025, 3:41 pm

The Fire of Sedition Consumes the Demographic Fabric of the Country

نار الفتنة تأكل نسيج البلاد الديموغرافي

The Sahnaia area in the Damascus countryside has witnessed a dangerous escalation in recent hours following the collapse of the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the Druze leaders. Violent clashes erupted between the Syrian security forces and Druze militants, prompting direct Israeli intervention under the pretext of "protecting the Druze community," amid international warnings of Syria slipping into a new wave of sectarian conflict.

The Syrian authorities announced the entry of security forces into all neighborhoods of Ashrafiyat Sahnaia and the start of operations to establish security and stability, asserting that they have succeeded in convincing a significant number of militants to surrender. They also indicated that they had dismantled "outlawed groups" that were targeting civilians and security personnel, resulting in the deaths of 16 individuals according to official sources.

In an official statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry rejected "any external intervention in Syrian affairs," considering international calls to protect the Druze community as "illegitimate" and "a direct threat to the unity of the country."

In a notable shift, the Israeli army announced the execution of drone strikes on positions in Ashrafiyat Sahnaia, claiming it was targeting militants threatening "local stability." Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported from military sources that the strike resulted in the death of a Syrian security personnel and injuries to others, while Syrian media reported civilian casualties.

Sheikh Muwaffaq Tariif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, confirmed that "the Israeli government stands by the Druze," pointing to potential changes in Israeli policy regarding what he described as "the security of the community."

In Lebanon, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt warned of the ongoing fighting in Sahnaia, indicating that it contributes to Israeli plans to displace the Druze from their areas near the border. He called for addressing the crisis within the framework of the state and Syrian unity.

For his part, the Grand Mufti of Syria, Sheikh Osama Al-Rifaei, emphasized the need for caution against sedition, stating: "Every Syrian blood is sacred. Beware of vengeance, for sedition consumes everyone."

In a related context, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that "the war will not end until Syria is divided, Hezbollah is defeated, and Iran is stripped of its nuclear weapons," clarifying that what is happening in Syria is linked to broader strategic goals encompassing the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon.

A member of the U.S. House of Representatives revealed that the new Syrian president, Ahmad al-Shara, "expressed openness to joining the Abraham Accords," during a meeting with American officials in Damascus, according to Sky News Arabia.

Strategic Collaboration Between NHRA and Bahrain Association of Family Physicians to Host Upcoming International Conference Suspension of Education in Hasakah: Amidst the Conflict Between the Government and Self-Administration

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.”