PKK Officially Claims Responsibility for Ankara Operation
October 25, 2024, 1:00 pm

PKK Officially Claims Responsibility for Ankara Operation

الداخلية التركية تكشف هوية أحد منفذي الهجوم في أنقرة

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced its responsibility for the attack targeting the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) headquarters last Wednesday, claiming that the attack "is not related to the political agenda discussed in Turkey last month."

The attack resulted in the deaths of five people and injuries to 22 others, prompting Turkey to launch airstrikes on dozens of sites in "Northern Iraq and Syria," which had reached a total of 120 locations as of Friday, according to Turkish intelligence.

The People's Defense Center (the military wing of the PKK) clarified in a statement today (October 25, 2024) that the operation "was carried out by an independent team from the Eternal Battalion" at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, October 23.

The statement announced the names of the two assailants "whose operation was planned long ago and executed successfully," identified as Mina Sevgin Çelik known as "Asia Ali," and Ali Ork known as "Rojger Helin."

It added that "the Eternal Battalion does not generally conduct operations repeatedly," but from time to time, and "instead of focusing on current agendas targeting important and strategic objectives, it carries out sacrificial operations that carry warning messages against the genocide policies, massacres, and isolation policies imposed by the Turkish government."

This announcement came after Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya revealed on his "X" platform account on Thursday the identity of one of the attackers, Ali Ork, a member of the PKK. The statement from the People's Defense Center coincided with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's declaration that the "terrorist attack" on the company "was executed by infiltrators from Syria into Turkish territory."

In statements made to reporters during his return flight from Kazan, Russia, after participating in the BRICS summit, Erdoğan said that Turkey continues its efforts to "root out terrorism," and if that involves action in Syria, "we will do what is necessary."

These rapid developments come at a time when discussions about a new operation to resolve the Kurdish issue have become the main political topic in Turkey, as Turkish officials have conveyed various messages in this context.

The Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the political wing of the PKK, stated in a Thursday announcement that it is following the "process that will be developed" by the party leader Abdullah Öcalan regarding the resolution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey.

Regarding the operation targeting the aerospace company in Ankara, the KCK stated: "If this operation was carried out by our forces, the People's Defense Forces will issue an appropriate statement," adding, "However, this act has absolutely nothing to do with the process that is being developed."

Earlier, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan expressed his willingness to shift the path of "conflict and violence" to a "legal and political path" for resolving the Kurdish issue in Turkey, according to a message relayed by Umar Öcalan, his nephew and a parliament member from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEVA).

Öcalan's family met with him yesterday, Wednesday, for the first time since March 20, 2020, as announced by Umar Öcalan in a post on his "X" account on Thursday (October 24, 2024).

The Turkish forces, in turn, continued to bombard areas in Rojava late last night, resulting in the death of a child and injuries to nine others, including two children. This followed airstrikes on Wednesday/Thursday night that killed 27 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

With Advanced "TOW" Missile Deal.. Washington Enhances Riyadh's Defense Capabilities The Fate of Syrian Kurds Affiliated with the PKK Amid Regional and International Shifts

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.