Bombing Targets 'Aswad al-Sharqiya' Vehicle in Deir ez-Zor
October 29, 2024, 12:43 pm

Bombing Targets 'Aswad al-Sharqiya' Vehicle in Deir ez-Zor

انفجار عبوة ناسفة يستهدف سيارة تابعة لمجموعة “أسود الشرقية” في دير الزور

A bomb exploded in Deir ez-Zor city, targeting a vehicle belonging to the "Aswad al-Sharqiya" group, which serves as a proxy faction for the Syrian regime, near the "Globe Roundabout" in the al-Joura neighborhood.

According to an Ain al-Furat correspondent in Deir ez-Zor, the explosion occurred today, Tuesday, October 29, in an area controlled by Syrian government forces, specifically targeting a vehicle owned by Aswad al-Sharqiya leader Khaled al-Ghanam.

The fate of the leader remains unclear, and it is not known whether he was inside the vehicle at the time of the attack. Security forces have cordoned off the area surrounding the explosion site, resulting in a heavy security presence.

The news outlet "Furat Post," which specializes in covering developments in eastern Syria, reported that a bomb specifically targeted Khaled al-Ghanam's vehicle, which is a Toyota Hilux.

Social media pages, including the "Sons of Al-Jazeera and Euphrates Movement," shared video footage showing firefighting teams working to extinguish the fire that erupted in the targeted vehicle following the explosion. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the vehicle belonging to "Aswad al-Sharqiya" exploded while parked alongside the road in the Khaled ibn al-Walid neighborhood of al-Joura, with no information on injuries reported.

A similar explosion occurred last June, targeting another vehicle belonging to "Aswad al-Sharqiya" near the "Al-Fath" Mosque in the city center of Deir ez-Zor, resulting in casualties among both military personnel and civilians.

At that time, the Ain al-Furat correspondent reported that the vehicle had exploded in the al-Qusour neighborhood close to the cultural center, leaving multiple injuries behind.

Syrian government forces control the towns and cities in Deir ez-Zor located west of the Euphrates River, while Tehran maintains its influence in the region through several Iran-backed militias. According to the "Jusoor for Studies" center, Iran operates 570 military sites across Syria.

The region also hosts cells affiliated with the Islamic State organization, which conducts sporadic operations against regime forces controlling the western bank of the Euphrates River and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) managing the eastern bank.

Deir ez-Zor is characterized by the intertwining influence of Iranian forces and the Syrian army, with recorded military confrontations between the two sides occurring at various times in the past.

Numerous military groups and forces backed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard are spread throughout Deir ez-Zor, primarily consisting of foreign fighters, including the "Fatimid" and "Zainabiyoun" militias, alongside the "National Defense" groups loyal to the regime.

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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.