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"Leilun" Association reveals details of suppressing a women's protest in "Kakhra" village in Afrin
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Documents gathered by Leilun researchers emphasize the need for urgent international action to stop ongoing violations in Afrin, highlighting the suffering of indigenous residents under the rule of Tu

The Leilun Association for Victims has unveiled a series of serious violations in Kakhra village in occupied Afrin region, in an exclusive investigative report published today. The report, based on live testimonies and field investigations, documented brutal attacks carried out by the "Sultan Suleiman Shah" faction, known as "Al-Amshat," against civilians, especially women.
Despite strict restrictions and security threats, Leilun Center researchers managed to collect documented testimonies from victims and eyewitnesses to the tragic events in the village. According to the report, the events erupted when a brave group of about twenty village women organized a peaceful protest on Sunday, September 15, 2024, rejecting the imposition of exorbitant royalties.
The report conveyed an exclusive testimony from Lara Al-Ali (pseudonym), one of the protest participants, who told Leilun researchers: "We faced excessive violence when we tried to protest peacefully. They attacked us with batons and whips, and fired randomly to disperse us. Many women were injured and suffered fractures."
The report revealed subsequent repressive measures, where the faction imposed a curfew and cut off communication services to prevent information leakage. Another witness (Ahmed Al-Ahmad/pseudonym) confirmed to the center's researchers: "After the attack, they completely besieged the village. Everyone is living in a state of terror, and we fear what might happen next."
The report also documented cases of gross financial extortion, with Leilun researchers quoting a special source (Yousef Saeed/pseudonym): "The faction forced one family to pay $8,000 as part of the royalties, while they demanded amounts up to $4,000 from other families."
The report recorded a shocking testimony from one of the survivors, revealing threats of rape and degrading practices against civilians. The report pointed to the systematic continuation of violations, including cutting off communications and threatening residents to prevent information leakage.
This investigative report by the Leilun Association for Victims comes in the context of its ongoing efforts to document violations in the occupied areas of Afrin. It's worth noting that the center has published a series of previous reports documenting similar violations in other areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions.
Afrin residents are calling on international and human rights organizations to take immediate action to protect them. They are calling for an international investigation into the documented violations and accountability for those responsible. Meanwhile, observers emphasize the need for serious work to end the Turkish occupation and ensure the safe and dignified return of forcibly displaced people to Afrin.
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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