Daraa: Security Forces Leave Busra al-Sham, Ending Tension
April 12, 2025, 12:35 pm

Daraa: Security Forces Leave Busra al-Sham, Ending Tension

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The general security forces have left the city of Busra al-Sham in the eastern countryside of Daraa after deploying and conducting rounds in the city streets. This comes after the parties involved reached an initial agreement to continue meetings between local notables and the commander of the 40th Division operating in Daraa with the leadership of the Fifth Corps, aimed at enhancing stability and securing the city.

Last Friday, the general security forces and the Ministry of Defense entered the city of Busra al-Sham as part of implementing a recent security agreement, aimed at reinforcing stability and ensuring safety in the area. According to sources, the agreement stipulates that the general security forces will receive light and heavy weapons from elements of the Eighth Brigade belonging to the Fifth Corps, which is deployed in various cities and towns of Daraa province, starting from their main stronghold in Busra al-Sham.

The agreement also includes the handover of wanted individuals involved in the shooting of former opposition faction leader Bilal al-Droubi, who died from his injuries sustained on April 10, which exacerbated the security situation.

As part of the agreement's implementation, elements of the Fifth Corps in the town of Ghbbaghb began handing over their weapons to the general security forces. Additionally, calls were made through loudspeakers from mosques in the town of al-Musayfirah, urging residents to turn in any illegal weapons or any weapons belonging to the corps to the security checkpoint in the town, clarifying that violators would face legal accountability.

This step follows a meeting in Busra al-Sham that included a delegation of notables and elders from Daraa along with leaders from the general security, where understandings were reached aimed at de-escalating tension and controlling arms outside state authority. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicated that groups affiliated with the Fifth Corps in the towns of Saida and al-Harak had surrendered themselves and their weapons to the general security forces.

The general security forces also conducted an arrest campaign in the town of al-Jiza, targeting elements from the Fifth Corps. They issued a directive in the town of Jababb requesting all elements of the Fifth Corps to hand over their weapons to the police station within two hours at most, imposing a curfew and requiring residents to stay in their homes. The directive emphasized that failure to comply would lead to legal action.

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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.