Biden Decides to Maintain "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" as Terrorist Organization for Duration of His Term
January 9, 2025, 11:52 am

هيئة تحرير الشام \ تعبيرية \ متداولة

President Joe Biden's administration has decided to maintain the designation of "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" as a terrorist organization in Syria until the end of Biden's term, leaving the crucial decision regarding the group and its leader Ahmad al-Shara to the incoming administration headed by elected President Donald Trump, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the matter as reported by The Washington Post.

The classification of "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" as a terrorist organization presents a significant obstacle to the long-term economic viability in Syria. American officials have stated that "the Islamists who stunned the world last year by ousting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad need to demonstrate that they have severed ties with extremist groups, especially al-Qaeda, before any change in designation can occur."

Regarding Washington's ongoing concerns about the integration of foreign fighters and other militants into positions within the Syrian Ministry of Defense, a senior U.S. official emphasized that "actions will speak louder than words."

Elected President Donald Trump has appointed several critics of extremism to prominent positions within the White House, such as Sebastian Gorka as Senior Director for Counterterrorism and Michael Waltz as National Security Advisor. Allowing the new Trump administration to decide on the designation of "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" is expected to extend the stringent U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria during Assad's rule.

The continuation of "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" on the list of foreign terrorist organizations makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to provide "material support or resources" to the group, enabling financial sanctions or legal action against them.

Trump transition spokesperson Brian Hughes declined to clarify the details of the designation but reaffirmed Trump’s commitment to "reducing threats to peace and stability in the Middle East and protecting Americans at home."

Moreover, there is broad consensus within the international community that Syria desperately needs more aid and reconstruction initiatives after over a decade of civil war. Despite the Biden administration's maintenance of the group's designation, it eased several restrictions on Syria on Monday, aimed at promoting the country's recovery and building trust with the interim government.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license for six months for a range of transactions with the Syrian government, allowing humanitarian groups to provide essential services such as water, sanitation, and electricity. It also permits some transactions with the government without fear of sanctions, including energy sales.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo noted that the end of Bashar al-Assad's repressive regime, backed by Russia and Iran, presents a unique opportunity for Syria and its people to rebuild. He affirmed that the department will continue to support humanitarian aid and responsible governance during this transitional period.

American diplomats have made several visits to Syria to engage with the group, described as a proactive and wise effort, as a U.S. official indicated that lifting the designation of the organization as a foreign terrorist entity requires a careful and complex process.

Another official confirmed that the necessary steps for "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" to be removed from the list will take time, stressing that the Biden administration made the right decision.

For his part, Robert Ford, the former U.S. ambassador to Syria, stated that the U.S. government should establish clear criteria for "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" regarding how to remove its name from the list. He emphasized that "it would be best to develop a set of standards and present them to the leadership of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham to initiate discussions around them."

Rick Grenell, a Trump advisor, described the armed groups that ousted Assad as "a mix of different types of people," emphasizing that "we will evaluate them based on their actions."

Lebanon Begins Session to Elect a New President After More Than Two Years Al-Qaradawi's Lawyer Takes Legal Action to Stop His Deportation to the UAE

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.