A Complete Month Without Assad's Regime: A New Beginning for Syria
January 8, 2025, 10:02 am

A Complete Month Without Assad's Regime: A New Beginning for Syria

ساحة الأمويين

Thirty days have passed since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime and his escape, and during this month, Syrians have lived some of the most beautiful moments of their lives, filled with joy and happiness. Crowds flooded the squares, singing for freedom, after they toppled all the statues of Hafez al-Assad and his son, tearing down their pictures and everything associated with them.

This month was free from bombing, torture, displacement, arrests, or bribery. It was a time without anything to disturb the peace of Syrians or stir their worries and fears.

Bashar al-Assad had no role in Syria during this month, and neither he nor the symbols of his collapsed regime will have any place in the future of the country. A rapid battle began on November 27 and ended on December 8, 2024, changing the reality of Syria and creating moments for people to establish a new beginning in rebuilding their country, despite the difficult phase that requires political, social, and cultural efforts.

A new Syria emerged under a transitional leadership led by Ahmad al-Sharah, who directed military operations, along with the appointment of Minister of Foreign Affairs Assad al-Shaibani, Minister of Defense Murhaf Abu Qasra, and a new intelligence agency headed by Anas Khattab, with several ministers tasked with managing affairs until next March.

In a report by Syria TV, we explore the atmosphere in the first month after the fall of the regime, how the lives of Syrians appeared after decades of one-party rule and suppressed freedoms, and the changes occurring in the Syrian street.

As we passed from the Lebanese Masnaa border crossing to Damascus, a remarkable journey began with a welcoming sign to Syria, next to a column from which pictures of Bashar al-Assad had been removed. The driver recounted stories about the previous checkpoints, such as the Asma al-Assad checkpoint and the Fourth Division checkpoint, alongside intelligence checkpoints.

As we approached Damascus, modern buildings started to appear, while the streets displayed signs of difficult economic conditions. In Omayyad Square, thousands gathered, singing revolutionary anthems and celebrating their regained freedom.

The crowds smashed the statues of figures that symbolized dictatorship, expressing their ambitions to build a new system, as everyone began to reshape matters anew after years of tyranny.

Syrians hope that their cause will find justice through fair trials and the accountability of the perpetrators, and they look forward to the return of refugees to help reconstruct their lost country, affirming that the new Syria requires the collective efforts of all its children.

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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.