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Iraq’s Deadly Drones

Seven of Kadhimi’s guards were injured by the remote weapons that acted as remote-controlled kamikaze missiles directed against a well-protected target. The Prime Minister, wearing a bandage on his hand, addressed the nation on television shortly after the attack, to prove that he wasn't seriously hurt. He then went on to meet with top security commanders to discuss the events. The attack followed threats against al-Kadhimi from an Iran-backed militia leader, though the armed groups denied responsibility, and no one immediately claimed the attack.
Both the method of this attack and the lack of responsibility claimed for it are worrying omens for Iraq coming in the wake of October’s parliamentary elections and subsequent protests as to their results. Iran, the US and the UN all condemned the attack, with America condemning it as an “apparent act of terrorism”. The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, who accused unnamed “foreign think tanks” of “creating and supporting terrorist and occupying forces” in Iraq that had “brought nothing but insecurity, discord and instability.”
Assassinations are one of the most dangerous forms of political violence and history is replete with examples of how they’ve escalated events far beyond any originally conceived purpose, perhaps the most famous chain of events being the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo considered the most immediate cause of World War I. Other assassinations have had more insidious and neblus impacts; consider another drone strike in Iraq that in this instance successfully killed the Iranian Military Leader Qasem Soleimani back at the start of 2020. Those who watch the changing dynamics of Iraq’s domestic security situation claim that with Soleimani out of the picture the command and control of the loosely defined ‘Iranian backed militias’ has become more complex and confused with less predictable political outcomes.
There is also the potential for the attack not being a work of high politics but rather being a homemade effort from individuals or groups operating very much off their own distinct agenda. The site of the Iraqi Prime Minister’s residence was well known and navigable even via a basic Google Earth search. Basic drones that are able to carry grenades or rudimentary forms of explosives are easily acquired and don’t require high level training or expertise in the same way that military equipment may do. In short whilst I am of course speculating, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that a small, low-cost operation not sanctioned by any State could use modern equipment to kill the democratically elected leader of a country and potentially change the course of its history in a significant manner.
Whilst physical attempts at assassination often result in individuals being detained, interrogated and identified in being linked to a political or terrorist group, a drone that explodes upon impact may leave little in the way of evidence that can link it to anyone at all. Therefore, the prospect of unclaimed attacks that leave no connection or clues as to their perpetrators is a terrifying prospect indeed as what they will succeed in doing is ratcheting up traditional tensions of any particular moment. Hence this attack being immediately linked to Iranian supported groups who are unhappy with October’s election result.
It is worth remembering that the 9/11 attacks that changed the course of history for much of the planet, were conducted by a handful of individuals with box cutters and rudimentary training in flying commercial aircraft. Weaponizing and utilising cheap, easily accessible modern technology is a frightening but very predictable tactic of political violence that will require complicated and likely expensive countermeasures. The ability to destroy small, fast-moving drones in the air will need to be front and centre of protecting hard sites such as residences and will also factor into how people can be targeted when on the move. Iraq’s era of deadly drones needs to give lessons to the wider world.
by: James Denselow

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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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