Turkish Fighters Involved in Violence in Syrian Coast.. Seeking to Stay There
The presence of these Turkish fighters, who are judicially wanted in their country, reflects a dangerous pattern of exporting terrorists and extremists across borders as a tool to implement regional a
April 13, 2025, 9:55 pm

Turkish Fighters Involved in Violence in Syrian Coast.. Seeking to Stay There

مسلحون تركستان في سوريا \ متداولة

Media reports have revealed the spread of Turkish armed groups in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, with video clips showing armed men speaking Turkish and announcing their presence in Damascus and several other Syrian areas.

One of these groups, which calls itself "Knights of Muhammad," has declared its identity as fighters who came from Turkey motivated by "jihad," while another group called "Knowledge and Jihad" has emerged operating under the leadership of individuals known for their hardline religious discourse.

Sources indicate that many Turkish fighters present in Syria are on wanted lists in Turkey for their connections to extremist organizations such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS, including Rajab Baltaji and Muhammad Yusuf Zia Talay, who was killed in an American airstrike.

Reports have documented the involvement of foreign fighters in acts of violence against civilians in areas of the Syrian coast during the unrest witnessed in Latakia and Banias last March, where elements from "Knights of Muhammad" were sent to the region.

These fighters face limited options: either return to Turkey to face judicial prosecution, or remain in Syria and seek to obtain Syrian citizenship, as indicated by Brigadier General Omar Shifchi - a Turk who obtained a position in the new Syrian army - who said that the transitional president directed steps to be taken to grant citizenship to immigrants.

Experts warn that the presence of these fighters could pose a threat to stability, especially if the Syrian interim caretaker government adopts a national approach that contradicts the ideology of these groups, which could push them to obstruct political transition or target different societal components.

Analysts believe that the continued presence of these groups reflects Turkish intervention in Syrian affairs and represents an obstacle to building a state of institutions that respects diversity and adopts a constitution that serves the interests of all Syrians.

Families of Turkey-Aligned Militants Leave "Ras al-Ain" Carrying House Contents Washington Rejects Damascus Government's Membership in International Coalition Against ISIS

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.”