Deadly Clashes Between SDF and Turkey-Aligned Factions in Northeastern Syria
January 5, 2025, 11:17 am

Deadly Clashes Between SDF and Turkey-Aligned Factions in Northeastern Syria

قسد (أرشيف)

Clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkey-aligned factions have continued in northeastern Syria for several weeks.

A correspondent for Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath reported that SDF forces repelled several attacks in the countryside of Manbij and Tishrin Dam, with ongoing clashes resulting in the deaths of more than 100 individuals over two days, up to early Sunday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The observatory clarified that the death toll reached 101 people by early Sunday, consisting of 85 from Turkey-backed factions and 16 from the Syrian Democratic Forces and associated military formations.

In this context, the director of the observatory, Rami Abdel Rahman, told Agence France-Presse that the clashes are concentrated in the southern and southeastern countryside of Manbij.

For its part, the Syrian Democratic Forces, which are primarily composed of Kurdish fighters, announced on Saturday that they had successfully thwarted all attacks supported by warplanes and drones on areas in eastern and southern Manbij and northern Tishrin Dam.

The correspondent also reported sporadic clashes in recent hours between the SDF and factions in the southern and eastern countryside of Manbij, confirming that Turkish warplanes targeted the vicinity of Tishrin Dam and the city of Deir Hafer with several strikes.

The death toll from the ongoing clashes, which have lasted for 23 days, has risen to 220, including 62 members of the SDF.

Since the end of November 2024, the predominantly Kurdish SDF has faced attacks from factions supported by Ankara, which seek to control areas in northeastern Syria, including the city of Tabqa and the provincial center of Raqqa to the north, as well as the towns of Khafsah and Maskanah to the west of the Euphrates River.

The SDF controls all of Hasakah province and the northern eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor province. The SDF reported that Turkey-backed forces launched a wide-ranging attack on several villages south and east of Manbij, but they succeeded in repelling this attack.

On the other hand, the Turkish army shelled the area surrounding Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River with artillery and also used drones during the attack.

The region hosts a Turkish military presence, as Ankara has carried out “Euphrates Shield”, “Olive Branch”, and “Peace Spring” operations against ISIS, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and the SDF.

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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.