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Erdogan Discusses Integration of SDF with Syrian Administration During his Talk with Putin
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It appears that Ankara now prefers a strategy of containing Kurdish forces within Syria's official institutions rather than military confrontation which has not fully achieved its objectives

Coinciding with recent developments and the understanding reached between the new Syrian administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
The Turkish presidency reported on Friday that during the phone call, Erdogan told Putin that Syria's resources should be handed over to the Syrian leadership, reflecting a shift in Turkey's approach which for years had refused any recognition of the organized Kurdish presence in northeastern Syria.
He emphasized the necessity of integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the central government, showing Turkey's pragmatic acceptance of the importance of finding a formula for coexistence with Kurdish forces after failed attempts to end their presence militarily.
The presidency also mentioned that Erdogan highlighted to Putin the importance of joint cooperation for sustainable stability in Syria, stopping practices that fuel sectarian violence, and lifting sanctions. This indicates a new Turkish approach that leans toward consensual solutions rather than military approaches that have not achieved the desired results.
The Turkish President also expressed his gratitude for coordination with Russia regarding Syria, confirming Turkey's continued reliance on the Russian role in arranging the Syrian landscape despite previous disagreements over handling the Kurdish file.
Regarding Ukraine, the Turkish presidency reported that President Erdogan informed Putin during the phone call that taking measures to ensure navigation safety in the Black Sea would contribute to peace efforts with Ukraine, adding that Ankara is ready to contribute to these efforts.
The statement clarified that Erdogan told Putin that Turkey is closely monitoring peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia and renewed his offer to host negotiations.
It's worth noting that a group of Syrian Kurdish parties, under American and French sponsorship and supervised by Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, had formulated a historic understanding defining a unified vision for their future. This indicates the growing strength of the Kurdish bloc that Turkey is now forced to deal with realistically.
This development came after Syria's interim transitional president Ahmed al-Shara signed an agreement on March 10 with the SDF commander in Damascus for the latter to join the new Syrian army.
This agreement, which coincided with a politically sensitive phase in the country a few months after the fall of former regime president Bashar al-Assad, stipulated the integration of civil and military institutions under SDF control in the northeastern part of the country into the state, and placing border crossings, airport, and oil and gas fields there under the supervision of the new administration in Damascus.
While Turkey welcomed the announcement, al-Shara issued the "Constitutional Declaration" three days after this signing, which omitted any reference to the Kurds. This sparked dissatisfaction from the Syrian Democratic Council, the political umbrella of the SDF, reflecting the continuing complexities in the Syrian landscape despite Turkey's new approach toward the Kurdish issue.
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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.
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