Intra-Kurdish negotiations in Syria and the new Guinness record
June 7, 2021, 3:43 pm

Intra-Kurdish negotiations in Syria and the new Guinness record

Zara saleh

When the "Guinness Breweries" director Hugh Beaver from Ireland went on an entertainment shooting party, he discovered by the 'game bird' that the golden plover was faster than the red grouse. Then the Guinness Book of Records idea became a fact in 1955, essentially based on achievement and success. Hence, the idea of such world records is always related to the success of any aspects of life that can benefit humanity. That is why the majority of Syrian Kurds are disappointed regarding the Kurdish-Kurdish marathon of negotiations and they believe that such ways of dialogue don't even have a chance to knock the back door of the Guinness World Records. Kurdish

Going Back to the current ongoing intra-Kurdish negotiations in Syria, the Chief Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces SDF general Mazloum Abdi in late 2019 launched a new initiative between Kurdish parties after the Turkish occupation of SereKaniye and Tel Abyad and Afrin in 2018. The initiative for dialogue between the Kurdish National Council KNC and the Kurdish National Unity Parties KNUP was also supported by the former US envoy William Robak. In 2020 both parties have reached the first and second phase of the agreement that includes a joint political vision for Syria, a federal system of governance, the Kurdish question, and the establishment of the Kurdish political authorities. Since September 2020, the third phase of negotiations has been a dead-end despite the fact that four American envoys have repeatedly been changed including the current one David Brownstein who is leading now the rally of the talks.

Before the US initiative for Kurdish negotiations, France also has launched an initiative in August 2019 for intra-Kurdish dialogue with the purpose to unify the Kurds to participate in the peace process in Syria, but unfortunately, the initiative did not succeed. At a glance at the long-term history of intra-Kurdish negotiations, we will be found that the first dialogue has begun between the PYD and KNC in June 2012. The two parties have signed the Hawler Agreement1and established the Kurdish Supreme Committee with three joint committees that include: Political Committee, Military Committee, Services Provision Committee. In December 2013, the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq called for the Hawler 2 conference. Despite both parties, PYD and KNC, has reached the new agreement but again they failed to succeed because of many unreasonable causes. Like other agreements, in 2014 the KNC and PYD met in the Kurdish city of Duhok under American auspices, and they agreed to form the “Kurdish Political Authority,” a 30-member body—12 representatives from each party and six from independent parties, but differences returned again as usual.

Arguably, the two Kurdish parties should understand the importance of the dialogue for the Syrian Kurds and their presence in the Geneva peace process and in the Constitutional Committee as well. Consequently, the Kurdish reconciliation will be the only way, with the American presence, to protect the Kurds from the Assad's regime, Turkey, opposition, and Iranian militia, and with the Russian green light. Otherwise, such an opportunity of change in Syria and with the presence of such international coalition and US, might not repeat again under such period that Kurds in Syria can fulfil their ambition of autonomy or federal region. Kurdish

by: Zara Saleh levant

levant

Zara Saleh

Trump on Fox Business: bitcoin is a probable "scam" Queen Elizabeth invites Prince Harry for lunch at Windsor Castle

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.