April 13, 2026
Developed with Syrian volunteers and first responders from 2016, Hala’s Early Warning System (“Sentry”) combined human observations, and algorithmic prediction that issued airstrike warnings through sirens, lights, and social media. Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, Hala decommissioned the system, marking the end of nearly a decade of operations.
Sentry was Hala’s first operational solution, establishing its purpose: using technology to protect civilians in conflict. Donating its artifacts to the Smithsonian helps preserve the legacy of a system that warned communities of approaching airstrikes and contributed to saving lives in Syria.
Artefacts of the Sentry Early Warning System on display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum as part of the permanent exhibit (July 2026)
2.5 million people reached by Sentry
At its peak, the Sentry system covered areas in Syria inhabited by several million people and provided up to eight minutes of advance warning of an impending airstrike.