-
Disturbing Human Rights Record.. Internationally Sanctioned Leader Assumes Leadership Position in "Aleppo"
-
The appointment of Seif al-Din Boulad to a new leadership position raises serious questions about the criteria for selecting military leaders and its impact on the future of human rights and stability

Seif al-Din Boulad, known as "Abu Bakr," has commenced his duties as commander of Division 76 in the new military formations in Aleppo governorate, amid concerns about the implications of this appointment on humanitarian conditions in the region.
Boulad, who defected from the former regime forces during the early months of the Syrian revolution, carries an extensive record of violations and abuses. He established the "Hamza Division" in 2016 in the city of Marea with direct guidance and support from Turkish authorities.
Multiple human rights reports have indicated the new military commander's involvement in practices that violate international humanitarian law during his control over areas in Afrin. Documents revealed on June 29, 2020, that Kurdish women were detained in secret detention centers belonging to the "Hamza Division" following disputes between competing armed groups.
The accusations directed at Boulad included issuing instructions to security officials in his group to impose levies on residents in Afrin, which exacerbated the suffering of local populations under the control of these groups.
As a result of these violations, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Boulad in July 2021 due to his involvement in serious human rights breaches, including kidnapping, extortion, sexual assault, and extrajudicial killing.
Media outlets revealed Boulad's appearance in a 2013 ISIS video recording, raising questions about his previous relationships with the extremist organization and his ideological orientations.
The military leader's activities were not limited to the Syrian arena but extended to participation in multiple regional conflicts. He participated in the Libyan conflict with Turkish support and was later transferred with his elements to Azerbaijan to fight against Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
What raises concern is that appointing a person with such a record of violations to a senior leadership position may negatively impact efforts to build security and military structures that respect the rule of law and human rights in various regions of Syria.
These appointments raise fundamental questions about the mechanisms for selecting leaders in the new military formations and the extent of their commitment to international human rights standards, especially in light of international efforts to achieve lasting stability in Syria.
This appointment also indicates the continued Turkish influence over military formations in northern Syria, which may hinder the possibility of building unified national security and military institutions that serve the interests of all Syrians.
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
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.
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!