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Iranian Militias Redeploy in Al-Bukamal: Evacuating Headquarters and Reducing Visibility
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The reduction of the public presence of pro-Iranian groups in Al-Bukamal highlights a shift in their strategy towards covert operations, which may complicate targeting them and increase the complexity

With the escalation of regional tension and the expansion of Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Syria, pro-Iranian groups have begun implementing fundamental changes in their deployment and operational strategy.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Iranian groups have started repositioning themselves in the Al-Bukamal area in eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside, seeking to avoid potential Israeli targeting.
These steps included evacuating many headquarters in the security squares of foreign and local elements, keeping only a very limited number of local elements for guarding purposes.
The city witnessed a notable decrease in the presence of elements and the activity of patrols and checkpoints that were supervised by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces and the Afghan Fatemiyoun group. Some checkpoints have been replaced with local elements in small numbers, especially at the main entrances to the city.
As a precautionary measure, the militias distributed large quantities of weapons in warehouses spread between Al-Bukamal and Deir ez-Zor, to avoid targeting any new shipments. Foreign militia leaders also left the area after the recent bombing, heading to the Iraqi side to manage operations remotely.
Despite these changes, recruitment operations continue among the region's residents, with promises of improving the financial returns for volunteers. However, many military courses that were held in Al-Siyal and the southern Badia have been cancelled, amid local leaders' refusal to attend any meetings for fear of being targeted.
In a related context, many military headquarters in the city, including the security square in Al-Qusour neighborhood, the Iranian Cultural Center, and the recruitment centers of the Lebanese Hezbollah, have resorted to turning off lights during the evening to avoid detection and targeting by warplanes and drones.
These movements come amid escalating Israeli targeting in Syria, which has notably increased since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The most prominent of these attacks was the bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus in April 2024, which resulted in the killing of 7 Iranian military advisors, including 3 senior commanders.
These developments reflect a strategic shift in the tactics of pro-Iranian groups in Syria, which may affect the balance of power in the region and reshape the geopolitical landscape. They also highlight the increasing challenges these groups face in maintaining their influence and may lead to a change in the dynamics of regional conflict in the long term.
Levant - Agencies
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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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