The personal data of up to three million Syrians living in Turkey was leaked online overnight by a social media account run by a 14-year-old, raising fears that the leak could enable further attacks against one of Turkey’s most vulnerable communities.
The leak followed a week of mob violence against Syrians in Turkey, prompted by the alleged sexual assault of a minor by a Syrian man and reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is prepared to normalise relations with Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad.
Turkey’s Interior Ministry said that the identity information of Syrians under temporary protection in Turkey – the formal status of over three million Syrians who fled the war in their home country – was shared from the account.
“It has been seen that a social media account with the nickname *"Uprising#Turkey”* posted today, ‘We will start an uprising in Sultanbeyli between 19.00-20.00,” the ministry said.
“The investigation revealed that the administrator of the social media account was 14-year-old E.P. It was also understood that the identity information of Syrians under Temporary Protection was shared from the same account. The necessary action was taken against E.P. by the Istanbul Children's Branch Directorate,” the statement added.
The National viewed images of some of the leaked documents, which include copies of passport information, full names, ID numbers and address information.
The exact number of the leaked files remains unclear, but according to a Syrian activist in Turkey monitoring the leak, the disclosed data initially included that of half a million Syrian men and women residing in Istanbul, and another 400,000 Syrian men and women living in the south-eastern city of Gaziantep.
“There are confirmed numbers when the leaks began to be discovered after they began to be published in several Telegram channels, and the number of leaked files that were published multiplied over time,” the person said.
This is a way to intimidate all Syrians and expose them to various types of danger, including having mobile phone numbers and using them for terrorist and fraudulent activities and the like.
Syrian activist in Turkey
Most Syrians in Turkey fled across the border to escape a crackdown by the Syrian government on an uprising 13 years ago, and fear retribution resulting from closer ties between Ankara and Damascus.
According to Turkish law, foreigners, including Syrians, must register their addresses in the country. For some Syrians, this gives them to access some services such as healthcare, education and small EU-funded cash transfers. There are many thousands more Syrians in the country who are unregistered, preventing them from accessing these services or obtaining work permits.
It is not clear exactly who was behind the leak. But it has raised fears among Syrians in the country that it is part of efforts by some ultranationalist Turks to force Syrians to leave.
“This is a way to intimidate all Syrians and expose them to various types of danger, including having mobile phone numbers and using them for terrorist and fraudulent activities and the like,” said the Syrian activist.
“They will either feel they have no choice but to return to Syria or find illegal routes into the European Union,” he added.
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
MADAME%20WEB
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England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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