Tensions Escalate Between Al-Hassoun and Al-Mushahada Tribes in Al-Bukamal
November 7, 2024, 12:52 pm

Tensions Escalate Between Al-Hassoun and Al-Mushahada Tribes in Al-Bukamal

اقتتال عشائري (تعبيرية)

The state of tension between the Al-Hassoun tribe and the Al-Mushahada tribe, whose members include several soldiers from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's 47th Brigade in Al-Bukamal near the Syrian-Iraqi border in eastern Deir ez-Zor, is expected to continue. This tension arises from an incident where elements of the brigade attacked a tribal leader from the Al-Hassoun tribe, pursued him to his home, fired at his house, and set his car on fire after he refused to stop for a military check.

Activists from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that several members of the Al-Hassoun tribe set up a checkpoint and deployed extensively in the town of Al-Ghabra, the road leading to Al-Bukamal. They blocked the Tehran-Beirut highway and threatened to target any vehicle belonging to the 47th Brigade, amid the ongoing escalation and heightened tensions between the two sides following the attack on one of the Al-Hassoun chiefs.

It is noted that the affected tribal leader is a former member of the People's Council, known for his influence within the regime and his lack of ties to Iranian militias. In contrast, the Al-Mushahada tribe is known for its loyalty to the militias, with many of its members serving within those ranks.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported a heated confrontation between members of the Al-Hassoun and Al-Mushahada tribes in one of the markets in Al-Bukamal, within the areas controlled by regime forces and Iranian militias in eastern Deir ez-Zor. This confrontation escalated into an exchange of gunfire between the two groups.

The conflict originated from an incident that occurred at a checkpoint belonging to the 47th Brigade of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, where a chief from the Al-Hassoun tribe was insulted while passing through the checkpoint after he refused to undergo a search by the elements. He was assaulted by one of the guards and then fled to his home, leading to an escalation of tensions between the parties. The elements then pursued the chief to his home, directly fired upon the house, and set his vehicle on fire, prompting several of the chief’s relatives to attack the homes of the Al-Mushahada tribe members, burning one of them.

The clashes resulted in the injury of three members of the Al-Mushahada tribe, including a teacher who was struck by a stray bullet, followed by a large deployment of the 47th Brigade's elements from the Al-Mushahada tribe.

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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.