Iran's Missile Messages to U.S and Kurdistan Regional Government
February 24, 2021, 8:01 am

Iran's Missile Messages to U.S and Kurdistan Regional Government

Jwan Dibo

From time to time, Iran sends inimical messages to US and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) through pro-Iranian militias in Iraq. On 15^th February, a barrage of rockets hit a U.S airbase at the International Airport of Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Despite Iran’s official denial of involvement, most indications suggest that Iran was behind the rocket strike.

Iran’s antagonistic letters carry tacit political signals to Biden’s administration as well as to KRG. More precisely, to Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) who has no good relationships with Tehran. Iran’s first signal to Biden’s administration is the necessity to return to 2015 nuclear deal without preconditions. Therefore, many observers consider this attack as the first serious test of Biden’s Iran policy.

Another purpose that Tehran wanted to accomplish is to remind its bitter adversary, viz., U.S, that Iran is still the most powerful rival to U.S and its allies in Iraq. Moreover, to demonstrate that Iran, through pro-Iranian armed groups, can move easily from defense to offensive position anytime and anywhere it desires. In other words, to prove that it can change the game rules in Iraq upside down, which have been placed by U.S since 2003.

The recent rocket attack on Erbil was claimed by a Shia group called Saraya Awliya al-Dam, or Guardians of Blood. However, Iraqi security officials told “Agence France-Presse” that the name of this group is fictitious of well-known armed factions loyal to Iran that want the American forces to withdraw from Iraq. Anyway, it is one of a series of popular, political, and violent activities against the presence of U.S in Iraq led by pro-Iranian factions.

Tehran’s current escalating message against U.S is that Iran can launch individual operations against various American targets in Iraq. The goal is to gradually push US forces to withdraw from Iraq. Therefore, it would be better for Washington, according to Iran's expectations, to return to 2015 nuclear deal without prerequisites plus to lift economic sanctions on Iranian government. Especially since Tehran increased the level of uranium enrichment and threatened to withdraw from the 2015 agreement by the 21st of February if US did not implement Iranian conditions.

For the relatively stable and prosperous Kurdistan region compared to the rest of Iraq, Iran began to antagonise Erbil and KDP since the independence referendum in September 2017. It started with taking control of the city of Kirkuk via its affiliated Popular Mobilisation Militias in October 2017 after the withdrawal of Kurdish Peshmerga.

On September 30, 2020, pro-Iranian militias fired 6 missiles at a place near Erbil International Airport. On 17^th October 2020, Pro-Iran protesters torched KDP offices in Baghdad. Nowadays, Iran demands its loyal Shiite political forces in Iraq to review the Iraqi constitution and to abolish federalism in order to harm the Federal Kurdistan Region.

Meanwhile, Iran is still working to disrupt the agreement that was reached between Baghdad and Erbil on Sinjar last October. All these aggressive policies and others are because of KRG’s rejection to surrender to Iranian agendas in Iraq, including the Silk Road project that is supposed to pass through Sinjar, the disputed area between KRG and Baghdad. This road, which would link Iran directly to the Mediterranean in Syria and Lebanon together. Iran's current escalation against Kurdistan region coincides with Turkey’s successive military operations in Iraqi Kurdistan under the pretext of fighting PKK militants.

Probably Iran will continue, via its local militias, to target American bases everywhere in Iraq including Kurdistan region. Even, it is more likely that Iran will intensify such aggressive activities in the near future to coerce US to go back to 2015 nuclear deal. In this context, Iran will not hesitate to cooperate with Turkey that share together antagonism towards Kurdish aspirations in the entire region. Likewise, both states are outraged by American military role in Iraq and Syria, the role that both countries dislike it, and both want to weed out promptly.

Jwan Dibo

Jwan Dibo

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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.