Latest news with #Al-Ahmad
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- General
- Kuwait Times
ROPME concludes summer educational program
KUWAIT: The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME), in cooperation with 10 participating entities, concluded on Thursday its summer camp Al-Ra'ed Al-Azraq (Blue Pioneer). ROPME Executive Secretary Dr. Mohammad Al-Ahmad told KUNA the program is part of the organization's marine environment strategy, which includes education and outreach to civil society and the education sector. He emphasized the importance of teaching concepts related to marine conservation and sustainability, describing it as a core pillar for preserving life below water. According to Al-Ahmad, the educational approach covers both formal education - integrated into school curricula in cooperation with education ministries in GCC states, Iraq, and Iran - and non-formal education, such as exhibitions, camps, and field programs. He noted that the summer camp is a key non-formal activity designed to expand marine environmental awareness and added that this year's edition was developed in collaboration with member states, with the aim of rolling it out to all members next mandate covers the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and parts of the Arabian Sea - an area of about 500,000 square kilometers - with the participation of GCC countries, Iraq, and Iran. — KUNA
Shafaq News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Bedouin fighters surround Suwayda as clashes with Druze escalate
Hundreds of armed Bedouin fighters from Arab tribes have reached the outskirts of Suwayda city in southern Syria, after seizing control of more than ten villages in the surrounding countryside, eyewitnesses told Shafaq News on Friday. The mobilization followed a call for 'general alert' issued by Arab tribes on Thursday. In a statement received by Shafaq News, the tribes accused Druze factions in Suwayda of launching 'killings and displacement' campaigns targeting Bedouin residents, particularly after the recent withdrawal of Syrian Ministry of Defense forces from the province. That withdrawal, they claimed, came under pressure from both Israel and the United States. Wissam al-Ahmad, speaking from Suwayda, told our agency that tribal gunmen had advanced to within less than four kilometers northwest of the city. He confirmed that while local Druze factions still control Suwayda and the nearby village of al-Walgha, the area is now surrounded by armed tribesmen, including fighters reportedly linked to the Syrian Defense Ministry. Al-Ahmad accused the Syrian government of supporting tribal militias 'logistically and in the media,' and of supplying them with weapons to retaliate against the people of Suwayda, who have publicly condemned abuses carried out by government-aligned units and military groups. Dozens of video clips shared by activists and obtained by Shafaq News show convoys of fighters arriving from Aleppo, Hama, and Deir ez-Zor, traveling in trucks and buses toward Suwayda to join the offensive. The Bedouin tribal statement warned that any attempt by the Syrian government to block their movement would be viewed as siding with 'criminal perpetrators,' adding that the tribes stand firmly behind their fighters and would respond decisively to any threat. 'These fighters are exercising their legitimate right to defend the oppressed and protect women, children, and elders,' the statement read. 'Any action against them makes its perpetrators morally and historically responsible for the continuation of bloodshed.' The tribal assault began on Thursday evening, targeting multiple towns and villages in the Suwayda countryside. The town of al-Mazraa was among the first to fall under tribal control. Fighters have since approached Suwayda city from the north and west, including via the Damascus-Suwayda highway. According to Shafaq News' correspondent, Suwayda city remains under the full control of local Druze militias. However, the besieged status of the city has raised fears of further escalation, particularly in light of deepening divisions within the Druze community itself. Some Druze factions have aligned with a recent political-security agreement proposed by the Syrian presidency. Others, led by prominent spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, have rejected the deal, arguing that it fails to provide real guarantees for the safety of Suwayda's residents. Responding to reports of government action in the area, Interior Ministry spokesperson Nourdine al-Baba said on Friday that there was no movement or deployment of security forces inside Suwayda, and that ministry units remain on standard alert. He described circulating news about internal security forces entering the city as 'inaccurate,' and blamed the media for spreading unreliable reports. Despite these denials, Druze sources have accused army-affiliated groups of involvement in acts of humiliation against community members—including attacks on religious figures and desecration of traditional attire—allegations the Syrian army has categorically denied. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Friday urged Syrian authorities to investigate the violence urgently. He said that nearly 600 people—including Druze fighters and Syrian security forces—had been killed in and around Suwayda in recent confrontations. 'The bloodshed and violence must stop. All persons must be protected,' Turk stated, calling for independent, transparent investigations and accountability for those responsible. The province of Suwayda, known historically as Jabal al-Arab and part of the Hawran region, is home to around 500,000 people, mostly Druze, with smaller Christian and Sunni minorities. #Syria: Credible reports indicate widespread violations & abuses, including summary executions & arbitrary killings in Suweida. The interim authorities must ensure accountability & justice. Those responsible must be held to account. Revenge and vengeance are not the answer. — UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) July 18, 2025
Nahar Net
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Report: Handover of Palestinian arms to begin from south Lebanon
by Naharnet Newsdesk 16 June 2025, 16:57 The major developments in the region, especially the Israeli-Iranian war, have reshuffled all cards in Lebanon and frozen the discussion of a number of files, most notably the handover of Palestinian weapons present in refugee camps, a process that was supposed to begin Monday from Beirut's camps, a media report said. Official sources told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that the relevant Palestinian sides in Lebanon are yet to be informed of any instructions, whether from the leadership in Ramallah or from Lebanese security agencies, regarding the handover of weapons present in any camp during the coming days. 'This does not mean freezing the file, but rather waiting for resolving some internal Palestinian issues that are being addressed,' the sources said. 'The factions requested a grace period before the start of the handover of weapons from Beirut's camps, and it has been agreed to begin from the South's camps that fall within U.N. Resolution 1701's area of operations,' the sources added. 'The handover will begin from the Tyre region where the al-Bass camp is located and the al-Rashidiyeh and al-Burj al-Shamali camps will follow,' the sources explained, noting that 'execution will take place over stages and without specific deadlines.' And according to Lebanese sources, Azzam al-Ahmad, the Fatah Movement official in charge of the Lebanese file, will return to Lebanon over the next days at the head of a security delegation to continue discussed the handover mechanisms and the rest of the details. Al-Ahmad had spent days in Lebanon prior to Eid al-Adha in a bid to resolve some disputes within the Fatah Movement over this file. He also held talks with Lebanese security agencies and state authorities.
Shafaq News
06-06-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Syria reactivates key industrial facilities as economic rebuilding efforts intensify
Shafaq News/ The Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry is moving forward with plans to rehabilitate and restart critical industrial plants, Hasan Al-Ahmad, Director of the Media Office at the Ministry, told Shafaq News. Al-Ahmad revealed that several major facilities have recently resumed operations, including the Hama Iron Plant and the Damascus Cables Factory, along with other strategic assets. 'These facilities are currently undergoing technical evaluations to assess their readiness for flexible and efficient investment models,' he said, adding that the goal is to maximize operational efficiency and ensure these assets contribute effectively to economic recovery. Supporting the national production, Al-Ahmad stressed, remains a cornerstone of Syria's industrial strategy. 'We want Syrian-made products to compete confidently in both domestic and international markets.' Regarding the Ministry's primary focus for the coming phase, it is 'to elevate the standards of the national industry, positioning it as a benchmark for quality and export potential.' This, he said, would help stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities, and strengthen public trust in local manufacturing. Syria's economy has been in a state of collapse since the outbreak of mass protests and civil conflict in 2011. A recent joint report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and UNCTAD, published on January 25, 2025, and titled 'Syria at a Crossroads: Toward a Stable Transition Phase,' highlighted the challenges facing the Syrian economy and outlined scenarios for its potential recovery. According to the report, a recovery scenario assumes successful reconstruction efforts, governance reforms, and sufficient international aid, particularly in the fields of agriculture, industry, and energy. Under this model, Syria could regain up to 80% of its pre-war GDP by 2030, provided the country maintains an average annual growth rate of 13% over the 2024–2030 period. Even in this best-case scenario, per capita income would still reach only half of its 2010 level.
Asharq Al-Awsat
10-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Mouallimi at the Investment Forum: SRMG Committed to Advancing Saudi Sports Media
The Sports Investment Forum concluded its sessions on Wednesday, featuring high-level participation from global leaders in the field of sports investment. On the final day, senior officials explored the role of sports media as both a strategic national tool and an economic driver, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities shaping this rapidly growing sector. Bassil Al-Mouallimi, Chief Strategy Officer at the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), emphasized that media success is closely tied to the growth of the sports economy. He highlighted broadcasting rights as one of the most critical revenue streams in sports, with media playing a pivotal role in amplifying and promoting athletic events. Al-Mouallimi noted that the core value of media in sports lies in sustained coverage before and after matches and tournaments—something SRMG is dedicated to providing across all its platforms. He described sports as 'the most authentic form of local content,' due to their universal appeal and the strong emotional connection they foster with audiences. He stressed the importance of storytelling in sports journalism and content creation. Addressing the evolving landscape, Al-Mouallimi pointed to the challenges posed by AI in content production while urging industry professionals to seize the vast potential it offers. Speaking about SRMG's role, he said: 'We've dedicated several of our publications—including Asharq Al-Awsat, Manga, Arriyadiyah, Al-Eqtisadiah, and Thmanyah—to support sports media and contribute to the development of its economic ecosystem.' Saudi Viewers and the Future of Sports Broadcasting Fahad Al-Ahmad, Chief Operating Officer of SSC Channels, stated that Saudi Arabia's sports sector is currently undergoing a phase of remarkable growth, supported by forward-thinking regulations and a massive fan base. This, he said, positions the Kingdom as a global hub for major international sporting events. During a session titled 'Television Broadcasting and the Future of Sports Streaming', Al-Ahmad observed a rising demand for sport-specific content, reflecting the maturity of the Saudi viewer and their growing interest in technical and analytical depth. He described this trend as a promising opportunity to expand the reach and quality of sports broadcasting. Al-Ahmad called for greater investment in media talent: 'We need specialized training programs for each sport. With over 90 sports federations and a passionate generation of Saudi youth, we can build a professional media system capable of delivering world-class coverage.' Content Quality and Media Responsibility Turki Alajmah, presenter at Rotana Channels, stressed the importance of maintaining high standards in media production. He warned against treating television like social media, emphasizing the need for professionalism, credibility, and editorial integrity. 'Content quality remains the cornerstone of trust between media and the public,' Alajmah said. 'A media professional's role is not just to entertain, but to inform and shape public understanding.' He also pointed to challenges facing local media, including limited access to athletes and events due to a lack of broadcasting rights and the increasing appearance of sports figures on international platforms—factors that weaken local media's influence and reach. TikTok Launches Saudi Sports Program Mohamed Harb, Director of Partnerships at TikTok for the Middle East and North Africa, announced the launch of a dedicated Saudi sports program on the platform. He stated that the initiative would significantly boost engagement across a range of sports and increase visibility for athletes and clubs on a larger scale. Navigating the Digital Shift in Sports Media In a session titled 'Sports Media: Between Challenges and Aspirations', Adel Alzahrani, Deputy Minister of Sports for Media and Marketing, discussed the ongoing disruption brought by social media and digital platforms. He emphasized the importance of adapting to these changes to maintain relevance and visibility. Alzahrani underlined the need for deep audience research, noting that consumption patterns and communication habits have evolved. Understanding platform algorithms and engagement mechanisms, he said, is now essential to crafting effective media strategies.
