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The Secret App that Gives Syrian Civilians Minutes to Escape Airstrikes
(Washington Post) Louisa Loveluck - A flight spotter in the hills near a Syrian military airport sees a warplane gather speed on the runway and with his cellphone beams details of the flight to a server abroad. The data is analyzed to identify targets and then warnings are sent via social media. Across rebel strongholds, rescue workers and hospitals brace for casualties. Hala Systems - known to many Syrians as the Sentry system - can win crucial minutes for residents to find safety when warplanes are thundering toward them. American entrepreneur Dave Levin founded the operation with former U.S. diplomat John Jaeger and a Syrian computer coder. The undertaking, financed by Western governments, has helped save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of injuries.