Sudden Collapse of Regime Forces in Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib
The rapid advance of factions led by "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham/Al-Nusra Front" in major cities reveals unprecedented weakness in the regime's military capabilities and declining direct Russian support
November 30, 2024, 7:32 pm

Sudden Collapse of Regime Forces in Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib

عناصر لقوات النظام

Military confrontations suddenly intensified in Syria between Syrian regime forces and armed factions led by "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham/Al-Nusra Front" today, Saturday, marking the first time that factions have penetrated Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, since regime forces took complete control of the city in 2016.

In recent developments, "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" has strengthened its influence in several areas of rural Hama, adding that it is currently reinforcing its presence in northern rural Hama, in a development that reflects a dramatic shift in the balance of power.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the withdrawal of Syrian regime forces from Hama city, indicating that "military convoys belonging to the army withdrew from Hama to Homs." The Observatory added that "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" and factions seized 16 villages in rural Hama during the past hours, indicating the collapse of the regime's first defense lines.

The Syrian regime forces denied reports of withdrawal from Hama, adding: "Our forces remain positioned in their locations in the northern and eastern countryside of Hama," emphasizing that its forces are "ready to repel any attack in Hama," in an attempt to reassure its allies and supporters.

Idlib governorate has come completely out of Syrian regime control, after factions managed to tighten their grip on the cities of Maarat al-Numan and Khan Sheikhoun, according to confirmations from two sources from the fighting factions.

A wave of mass displacement swept through Aleppo, with thousands of civilian cars rushing via the Khanasser-Athria road toward the cities of Latakia and Salamiyah, especially with the closure of the main highway connecting Damascus and Aleppo.

Field observers reported the successive fall of Aleppo neighborhoods to the factions, with a comprehensive withdrawal of regime forces from most areas, except for some southern parts that remain under Damascus's control.

Military sources revealed that the regime received promises of urgent Russian military aid, expecting Russian military equipment and hardware to arrive at Hmeimim base within 72 hours, in an attempt to regain the initiative.

Regional positions varied regarding the rapid developments, with the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman accusing Washington and Tel Aviv of standing behind regional destabilization, while Turkey called for avoiding escalation and protecting civilians.

Russia found itself in an awkward position, as the Kremlin stated that the events in Aleppo represent an infringement on Syrian sovereignty, confirming Moscow's support for regime recovery in the region, while its air forces announced neutralizing about 200 militants in Aleppo and Idlib governorates.

Levant-Agencies

The Amazon Rainforest and the Ozone Hole Taiwan's F-16 Upgrade Again Provokes China's Ire

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.