Foreign fighters take part in massacres... Sectarian atrocities strike the Syrian coast with heavy casualty toll
Foreign fighter influx and sectarian incitement through mosques contributed to violence against Alawites, reflecting authorities' failure to provide security for unarmed citizens
March 9, 2025, 4:38 pm

Foreign fighters take part in massacres... Sectarian atrocities strike the Syrian coast with heavy casualty toll

الصراع في سوريا

Rami Abdulrahman, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported in exclusive statements to "Sky News Arabia" about horrific human casualties in the Syrian coastal region, noting that the real numbers may exceed those announced due to attempts to hide bodies and bury them secretly.

Abdulrahman stated that the count of Alawite civilian victims who fell due to sectarian motives reached 745 citizens, emphasizing that they were ordinary civilians not involved in the armed conflict or associated with the regime. Meanwhile, 125 members of security forces and 150 armed individuals belonging to the Alawite sect were killed, while some continue to use the term "regime thugs" to justify attacks against them.

Abdulrahman explained that the areas affected by systematic killing, looting, and burning operations include multiple villages around Jableh and the suburbs of Baniyas, where homes were directly targeted and extensive looting operations occurred before burning them. He added that the media did not highlight the actual scale of destruction, suggesting that tens of thousands of homes were subjected to theft and burning.

He indicated that the militants involved in the massacres are not residents of the Syrian coast, but came from other Syrian governorates and even from foreign nationalities such as Uzbeks, Chechens, and fighters from Central Asia, in addition to the "Al-Amshaat" faction, which now belongs to the Ministry of Defense, and was one of the most prominent perpetrators of massacres and looting operations.

Abdulrahman pointed to inciting calls that contributed to the escalation of violence, explaining that coastal residents, including Alawites, aspire to live safely away from fighting. However, he stressed that the government in Damascus committed a grave error when it called through mosques for "general mobilization" and "come to jihad," which led to the influx of fighters from outside the region to commit atrocities against Alawites.

Abdulrahman discussed the deteriorating humanitarian conditions, where some areas have been completely cut off from bread, water, and electricity for three days. He also indicated that some civilians took shelter at the "Hmeimim" base to escape killing, but they did not find the desired protection; instead, they were asked to seek Turkish protection rather than Russian or French protection, which caused their discontent.

Abdulrahman noted that conditions in cities may seem more stable, but in rural areas, flagrant violations occur away from media cameras, noting that forced displacement operations continue, and there are bodies lying in the open since days, amid prevention of burying them or approaching them.

Abdulrahman concluded his speech by emphasizing the need for Damascus to take responsibility for protecting citizens, warning of the continuation of sectarian fighting and violations that have devastating effects on the entire Syrian social fabric.

Levant-Agencies

Escalating Tensions in Syria: Concerns Over Sectarian Violence Two southern governorates isolated... Repeated attacks threaten Syria's telecommunications infrastructure

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.”