The Turkish genocidal politics in Afrin
June 24, 2021, 1:06 pm

Zara saleh

In January 1951 the United Nations Genocide Convention came into effect that defined genocide as not only as killing but ‘causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of a group'. Since the Turkish occupation of Afrin northwest Syria in 2018 and according to Geneva Convention, the Turkish forces and their jihadist proxies of so-called the Syrian National Army committed genocide and crimes against humanity.

Simultaneously with Erdogan's rhetoric of violence and hatred against Kurds when he vowed to clean Afrin from "its rightful owners", the Turkish army with the Syrian mercenaries launched a systematic ethnic cleansing and demographic change campaign in the Kurdish region of Afrin and against its Kurdish inhabitants. According to recent human rights group reports, the Kurdish population in Afrin has declined dramatically by more than 70%. As a result, indigenous Kurds of the region were forced to flee their homeland and they were replaced by Arab and Turkmen families. In the name of "protecting the Turkish national security", Erdogan began the 'security belt' on its border with Syria and had invaded the Kurdish region of Afrin and other areas in north Syria by creating a 30km- deep occupation zone to shield the Turkish border according to their officials. Besides that, the Turkish army with the Syrian opposition jihadists is committing war crimes against the Kurdish inhabitants in Afrin which considers as genocidal politics according to Geneva Conventions. Moreover, there are daily reports of killing, rape, kidnapping sexual violence, and torture against the Kurds in occupied areas.

In comparison, the Kurds were always been subject to genocide campaigns by different occupied regimes such in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria during different periods of time. For example, in Syria, a report by Muhammad Talab Al-Hilal the former chief of the Secret Services in Hasaka northeast Syria suggested that the "Kurdish danger" must be eliminated because the Kurds are a threat to Arabs. In 1974 the Ba'ath nationalism began the plan of Talab Hilal in Kurdish areas in the of "save Arabism in Jazira" with the creation of the genocide project of "Arab belt". around 4,000 Arab families from various tribes, whose own lands had been submerged, were settled (and armed) in forty-one of the “model” farms and villages in Jazira in north Syria's border with Turkey.

Arguably, the Kurds again are victims of such genocidal policies committed by Syrian and Turkish regimes which aimed to render the Kurdish identity invisible in Syria. That is why the Assad regime still stays silent against the Turkish genocide in Kurdish areas of Afrin, Sere Kanye, and Til Abyad especially when the Kurdish inhabitants are the subject of such policies that conducting by Turkey. levant

by: Zara Saleh

Zara Saleh

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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.