Turkey is weaponising the Euphrates water against Kurds
March 21, 2021, 12:51 pm

Turkey is weaponising the Euphrates water against Kurds

Zara saleh

Since the occupation of Afrin in March 2018 and Serekaniye and Tel Abyad in late 2019, Turkey has been directly at war with the Kurdish- controlled region of northeast Syria.

In the few recent weeks, the Turkish authorities have decreased the water level of the Euphrates River by 50% or more that directly affects Raqqa province and other areas in Syria; and again the water is now being weaponised against the Kurdish population and self-administration autonomous that is lead by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). However, the water level has been recently dropped dramatically and Syria now is receiving only about 200 cubic meters per second. Eventually, it has affected people's life, agriculture, food security, fishing, and other environmental sectors that could lead to catastrophic outcomes in the future and even the region could suffer from drought.

By using water as a weapon of war, Turkey with the Syrian opposition mercenaries that affiliated with the Syrian Coalition began to bomb the water station since the occupation of Serekaniye in 2019. Furthermore, the water has been shut-off repeatedly, denying nearly one million population of Hassaka province of access to water, after their occupation of Allouk water pumping station in 2019.

Arguably since the Turkish government completed the Ataturk dam in 1990 on the Euphrates River with other dams later, the use of water as a weapon became a priority in their strategy. Turkey began to take control over the water supply to Kurdish, Syrian, and Iraqi neighbors downriver of the Euphrates and Tigris. Suleyman Demirel, the former Turkish Prime Minister who became known as "the king of dams" at that time he said, "Arabs sell oil, why don't we also sell our water?". Furthermore, during the UN General Assembly meeting in 1997, Turkey refused to sign the International Waters Convention, and they argued that both rivers, the Euphrates and Tigris are located only in Turkish territories and it is not necessary for them to share their water with the neighbouring countries.

Despite the fact that Turkey, Syria, and Iraq have reached an agreement about sharing the Euphrates water in 1987 that allows Syria to receive a flow of water 550 cubic meters per second. According to that agreement, the Syrian government can use 42% of the water, whereas 58% will be for Iraq. Later on, the agreement has been failed due to the rise in tension between Turkey and Syria because Turkey accused the Syrian regime of supporting the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK).

Consequently, with the other pressure on the Kurdish region such as an occupation, an economic embargo, and food insecurity due to the lack of water supply, Erdogan now is committing a war crime against Kurds by using the Euphrates River as a weapon of war. The results of such Turkey's policy towards the Kurds in Syria due to Erdogan's "phobia" of establishing a "Kurdish State" or independent autonomous in northeast Syria, could lead to catastrophic humanitarian outcomes in the region, and the UN and International Community should respond to this serious crisis caused by the Turkish government.

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.