Israeli incursion into Jamilah, southern Syria, and house raids
Statements by the Israeli Defense Minister emphasize his country's intention to remain in strategic areas in Syria, with threats to ensure the disarmament of southern Syria
March 8, 2025, 6:54 pm

Israeli incursion into Jamilah, southern Syria, and house raids

توغل إسرائيلي داخل سوريا

Israeli forces infiltrated the town of Jamilah, located west of Daraa in southern Syria, on Friday-Saturday night, carrying out raids targeting several homes in the area amid a state of security alert.

The local news site "Tajammu Ahrar Horan" reported that Israeli forces "imposed a security cordon around one of the houses in the town and demanded its owner to come to the site, while his family was inside the house”.

"Syria TV" reported on its website today, citing local sources, that Israeli soldiers "contacted the homeowner," demanding he surrender himself without providing any explanations for the move.

According to Syria TV, "this incursion is part of a series of similar operations witnessed in southern Syria recently, amid escalating security tensions in the region”.

The report noted that "the past weeks have seen a noticeable Israeli escalation in southern Syria," with Israeli aircraft launching "intense airstrikes targeting several sites, alongside continued ground incursions into the buffer zone”.

It added that the Israeli army "has taken control of strategic locations, including the peak of Mount Hermon, while continuing to expand its military presence in Quneitra province”.

The report also mentioned that Israeli forces "are working to establish new military bases extending from Mount Hermon to the Yarmouk Basin, equipping these sites with infrastructure, including electricity and residential facilities for their personnel, in addition to constructing roads leading to the Syrian border”.

"Syria TV" explained that "these movements come at a time when Israeli threats to expand the scope of military operations inside Syria are increasing, raising questions about the strategic objectives of these steps”.

For his part, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed in a post on the "X" platform that the Israeli army "will remain in the security zones in Syria, including the Mount Hermon area," without specifying a timeline for this military presence.

Katz stated that this measure "aims to defend Israel against any threats coming from Syria" and "protect settlements in the Golan and Galilee regions”.

He vowed that Israel "will work to ensure that southern Syria is disarmed and free from threats”.

It is worth noting that Israel has exploited the new situation following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, occupying the Syrian buffer zone and the Mount Hermon area, and declaring the collapse of the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria.

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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.