"Abu Amsha" Continues His Violations Against Civilians... Assaults Residents in Rural Afrin
Mohammed Jassem continues to lead operations of looting, extortion, and arbitrary detention since 2018, making him one of the most wanted for justice in war crimes
March 16, 2025, 9:21 pm

ابو عمشة \ ليفانت نيوز

Local residents reported that Mohammed Jassem, known as "Abu Amsha," leader of the Suleiman Shah faction (Al-Amshat) and current head of Division 25 in the new Syrian Army, physically assaulted, brandished his weapon, and opened fire on civilian citizens in Kaniya "Al-Nabe" square in Sheikh Hadid - Şiyê district near Afrin.

According to circulating accounts, "Abu Amsha's" attack on civilians came in response to some residents recently raising victory signs when they saw the public security convoy entering the district center, which provoked "Abu Amsha" and prompted him to return today to Sheikh Hadid district and carry out his revenge on civilian residents through physical assault and gunfire.

Citizen Ahmed Suleiman Sheikho, nicknamed son of the Kafno family, was violently attacked personally by "Abu Amsha" and his escorts during today's incident, amid escalating public anger in the region.

"Abu Amsha" has a bloody record of violations since the Turkish army occupied the Afrin region in March 2018, where he personally supervised systematic torture operations in his detention centers, leading to dozens of deaths under torture.

Mohammed Jassem managed an organized network of financial extortion, kidnapping hundreds of civilians and demanding huge ransoms from their families, and also issued direct orders to seize olive crops and agricultural lands in the region, making profits estimated at millions of dollars annually.

"Abu Amsha" also led forced displacement campaigns targeting the original inhabitants, issuing instructions to expel families from their homes and house his loyalists in them, and imposed a system of royalties on owners of commercial and industrial shops, reaching 60% of their profits.

Mohammed Jassem used his military authority to control border crossings and impose illegal fees on goods and foodstuffs entering the region, causing price increases and deterioration of the living conditions of residents.

Additionally, he launched arrest campaigns against anyone who violated his instructions, and destruction affected historical and cultural landmarks in the area under his faction's control, including archaeological sites and religious shrines.

"Abu Amsha" appeared yesterday in the city of Hama, where he participated in an official celebration on the occasion of the annual anniversary of the Syrian "revolution," which reflects the stark contradiction between public discourse and criminal practices on the ground.

These ongoing violations by Mohammed Jassem confirm the necessity of adopting a constitution that prevents military leaders from monopolizing power and ensures accountability, away from the centralized governance model that was applied by the previous regime headed by Bashar al-Assad, which allowed the concentration of power in the hands of a limited group.

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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.