Details of Turkish-backed Factions' Involvement in Syrian Coastal Events
The presence of thousands of Syrian fighters in Libya and Africa reflects Ankara's exploitation of the Syrian crisis to achieve its own interests at the expense of the Syrian people's aspirations for
March 19, 2025, 9:35 pm

Details of Turkish-backed Factions' Involvement in Syrian Coastal Events

الجيش الوطني السوري \ تعبيرية \ متداول

A Western European official revealed to "The Magazine" the involvement of three factions, including groups linked to Turkey, in the violations witnessed in the Syrian coastal region between March 6-10, 2025, indicating that these groups send fighters to areas outside Syria.

The official explained that the Turkmen groups affiliated with the "Syrian National Army" - namely "Sultan Suleiman Shah Division," "Hamza Division," and "Sultan Murad Division" - are considered among the most prominent parties accused of participating in the violations. He indicated that these factions "received clear Turkish support since 2016-2017, coinciding with the joining of the Turkish 'Nationalist Movement Party,' known for its extreme nationalist orientations, to the government" in Ankara.

These violations came after Brigadier General Ghiyath Dala, a former leader in the "Fourth Division" led by Maher, brother of deposed President Bashar al-Assad, announced a rebellion against the new Syrian administration in the Syrian coast. Sources reported that Dala has close ties with Iran and "Hezbollah" and was the liaison between them and Maher al-Assad during the years of war.

According to the diplomatic official, members of the three factions are closely related to Turkish intelligence, "as these factions participated in Turkish military operations against the 'ISIS' organization and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) between 2016 and 2019, including taking control of the Kurdish-majority city of Afrin in rural Aleppo, where they were accused of committing violations against civilians."

The leaders of "Sultan Suleiman Shah Division" and "Hamza Division" have been subject to US Treasury Department sanctions since 2023, due to violations committed by their members, especially during the "Olive Branch" operation that targeted Kurdish residents in Afrin.

These factions receive their funding from Turkey, in addition to other resources from various forms of smuggling, imposing taxes on farmers and olive oil producers, and border crossing revenues, according to the European official.

The influence of these factions extends beyond Syrian territory, as Turkey has used them in military operations in Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Niger. The diplomatic official says: "The presence of Syrian mercenaries in the African continent is considered one of the most important tools of Turkish foreign policy, especially in Libya."

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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.