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Human Rights Organizations Warn of Escalating Violence in Northern Syria and Call for Protection of Civilians

The organizations signing this statement warn of the serious repercussions resulting from the recent military escalation in northern Syria and call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians, halt violations, and adhere to international humanitarian law.
Since November 27, 2024, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, designated as a terrorist organization, has launched a wide-scale military assault under the title "Battle of Deterrence Against Aggression."
This offensive rapidly led to the capture of the city of Aleppo and large areas of its countryside, completing the control of all of Idlib province and parts of Hama province, following the withdrawals and collapses experienced by the Syrian government forces and their allied militias. This coincided with deadly airstrikes by Syrian and Russian aircraft targeting hospitals and civilian sites in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties, both dead and injured.
On November 30, 2024, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army took advantage of the changes in the front lines to begin a military operation named "Dawn of Freedom" in northern Aleppo and the Shahba regions, which are under the control of the People’s Protection Units (YPG). This operation led to the forced displacement of tens of thousands of internally displaced persons, most of whom are from the Kurdish canton of Afrin, making them victims of a new wave of displacement after previously being displaced during Operation Olive Branch in 2018.
Numerous violations against Kurdish civilians, including Yazidis, have been documented by the attacking forces. These violations included the arrest of dozens, killings and looting, assaults on displacement convoys, and unprecedented incitement and hate speech. Reports indicated that a group of civilians who tried to return to Afrin faced arrest, beatings, and theft of their personal belongings, with cases of individuals reported missing.
Syrian organizations warn that this military escalation represents a dangerous turning point in the Syrian conflict, raising genuine concerns among many communities, particularly religious and ethnic minorities, which have a complex history of violations. These conditions also alarm residents in areas outside government control who have witnessed airstrikes from government and Russian forces resulting in civilian fatalities and injuries.
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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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