Amnesty International Calls on Syrian Government to Hold Those Responsible for Mass Killings in the Coast Accountable
April 3, 2025, 2:41 pm

Amnesty International Calls on Syrian Government to Hold Those Responsible for Mass Killings in the Coast Accountable

منظمة العفو الدولية تدعو الحكومة السورية لمحاسبة المسؤولين عن القتل الجماعي في الساحل

Amnesty International has urged the Syrian government to ensure accountability for those responsible for a wave of mass killings targeting Alawite civilians in coastal regions and to take immediate steps to protect individuals and groups from sectarian discrimination. The organization stated in a statement set to be published tomorrow, Thursday, that the recent events in the coast amount to "war crimes," holding the government responsible for the ensuing bloodshed.

The organization reported that it investigated the killings of over one hundred civilians in the city of Baniyas, where estimates from human rights organizations indicate that the total number of victims exceeds this figure and includes multiple areas in the Syrian coast. According to information received by Amnesty International, government-aligned militias carried out killings of more than 100 individuals in Baniyas on March 8 and 9, 2025. The organization was able to verify 32 cases of killings and concluded that they were intentional and illegally targeted the Alawite minority.

Witnesses told Amnesty International that armed men were asking victims about their sect before threatening or killing them, sometimes blaming them for violations committed by the previous regime. Authorities also forced the families of the victims to bury them in mass graves, without holding religious ceremonies or public funerals.

Amnesty International's Secretary General, Agnes Callamard, called for accountability for those responsible for this wave of brutal mass killings. In her statement, she noted that there is evidence indicating that government-aligned militias deliberately targeted Alawite civilians in retaliatory attacks, shooting them in cold blood. She added that the authorities did not intervene to stop the massacres for two days.

Callamard confirmed that this type of killing is considered a "war crime," stressing the need for states to conduct prompt, independent, and impartial investigations into allegations of unlawful killings and hold the perpetrators accountable.

The statement provided background on the events, mentioning that on March 6, 2025, armed groups loyal to the previous regime led by Bashar al-Assad launched coordinated attacks on security and military sites in the Latakia and Tartus provinces. In response, the Ministries of Defense and Interior, supported by militias, launched a counterattack that led to a significant escalation in violence. By March 8, authorities had regained control of all affected areas. The statement confirmed that in the following days, militias loyal to the current government deliberately targeted Alawite civilians in coastal towns and villages.

While Amnesty International welcomed the establishment of a commission of inquiry by the government and a committee for civil peace, the organization emphasized the need for the authorities to ensure that the committee has the jurisdiction, authority, and adequate resources to effectively investigate, including protecting witnesses and victims' families, accessing mass graves, and having the necessary forensic expertise to achieve justice.

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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.