Eastern Ghouta and Qalamoun Displaced People Appeal to "Al-Shara" to Intervene in Afrin.. Militias Prevent Their Return to Their Cities
Preventing displaced people from returning to their original areas reveals the continuation of demographic change policy despite the fall of Assad's regime and the liberation of most Syrian areas
December 17, 2024, 7:29 pm

Eastern Ghouta and Qalamoun Displaced People Appeal to

الغوطة الشرقية/ أرشيفية

An urgent appeal from displaced people from Eastern Ghouta, Rural Damascus, and Qalamoun revealed their ongoing suffering from the practices of "National Army" factions in the Afrin area, accusing them of repeating Assad regime's repressive methods.

In their message to military operations commander Ahmad Al-Shara, the displaced people reported that after Assad's overthrow and the opening of roads, they began organizing return convoys from Sheikh Hadid area to their cities and villages from which they were displaced during the war years.

The appeal explained that dozens of families who moved on December 16th were surprised by elements from "Al-Hamzat and Al-Amshat" factions blocking their way and forcing them to stay in homes of Kurdish displaced people from Afrin.

The prevention of displaced people's return coincided with imposing heavy fees on returning Sheikh Hadid residents from displacement areas in Shahba, Tel Rifaat, and Aleppo, where armed factions demand $1,500 from each family to allow them to return home.

Poor families unable to pay the fees were forced to stay in Jindires district, while displaced people continue to seize original residents' homes under armed factions' protection.

The appeal signatories, including sheikhs, activists, media professionals, and human rights advocates, pointed to "Al-Amshat, Al-Hamzat, Sultan Murad, and Al-Sharqiya" factions ignoring general command decisions calling for displaced people's return.

The displaced people accused these factions of running secret prisons similar to the notorious Sednaya prison in torture and liquidation methods, noting the continued operation of security branches like Political Security and Military Police in arresting civilians.

The appeal highlighted the paradox of liberating all Syria and dissolving security branches, except in "National Army" control areas where repressive apparatus still operates freely.

The signatories warned of attempts to ignite civil war by inflaming tensions between Syrian society components, demanding the dissolution of armed factions, collection of their weapons, and prosecution of their leaders for violations.

The displaced called on military operations management to impose its authority in the region, considering holding armed factions accountable "a moral and humanitarian necessity and justice for the oppressed."

The appeal emphasized that armed factions "became notorious for mercenary activities, terrorism, thievery, and criminality," noting their violations "are no less criminal than Assad regime's thugs and henchmen."

The displaced addressed their message to Al-Shara and general command, as well as media outlets, social media platforms, United Nations, and fact-finding commission, seeking protection and justice.

They concluded by blessing the Syrian revolution's victory and ending the rule of the "tyrant" who destroyed their cities and villages and displaced them, calling on the new leadership to protect them from "mercenaries" who replaced the regime in violating their rights.

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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.