East Aleppo: Security Chaos Manifests in Tribal Conflict and Blame Exchange
Recurring violent incidents in opposition-controlled areas reveal a drastic failure in security management, threatening the collapse of the entire judicial and security system
November 6, 2024, 10:20 pm

East Aleppo: Security Chaos Manifests in Tribal Conflict and Blame Exchange

اقتتال المليشيات في شمال سوريا \ تعبيرية \ متداول

Security chaos has escalated in opposition-controlled areas east of Aleppo, with violent clashes erupting in Jarablus city and a blame game over the assassination of a judge in Al-Rai.

Jarablus witnessed armed confrontations Tuesday night between Turkish-backed opposition "Border Guard Forces" and members of the "Al-Quraan" tribe, following an attempt to arrest a group of smugglers.

Local sources reported that Guard forces targeted the "Al-Tank" camp in Jarablus with heavy machine guns, causing injuries among camp residents and forces, while the Al-Quraan tribe seized a headquarters and military vehicles belonging to the Guard forces.

Simultaneously, the assassination case of the Head of Judicial Inspection at Al-Rai Court, Muhammad Zaidan, is witnessing an exchange of accusations between the "Sultan Murad Division" and "Military Police" over responsibility for the checkpoint where the judge was killed.

The "Free Lawyers Syndicate in Syria" condemned Judge Zaidan's assassination, holding responsible parties accountable for the "security failure" and demanding a serious investigation to uncover the crime's circumstances and hold perpetrators accountable.

The so-called "Syrian National Coalition" issued a statement confirming it would follow the case until suspects are handed over to military police, emphasizing the role of the "Interim Government's" Defense and Interior ministries in maintaining security and preventing such crimes' recurrence.

Assassination and murder incidents recur in "National Army" controlled areas, where last April witnessed masked men executing two people in Azaz, while an activist and his pregnant wife were executed by "Hamza Division" elements in October 2022.

A human rights source revealed that more than 100 death sentences remain unexecuted in rural Aleppo courts, where sentences are issued with suspended execution in "Interim Government" controlled areas.

The worsening security breakdown reflects Turkish-backed armed factions' inability to impose security and stability, amid growing tribal influence and conflicting jurisdictions between various security and military apparatus.

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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.