Kurds are the Only Losers from the Disgraceful American–Turkish Ceasefire Agreement in North-eastern Syria
October 22, 2019, 3:47 am

Kurds are the Only Losers from the Disgraceful American–Turkish Ceasefire Agreement in North-eastern Syria

Jwan Dibo

Jwan Dibo

In less than two weeks, the American president, Donald Trump, has lavished too much gifts to Turkish president Rajab Taib Erdogan. Firstly, on 10th October, Trump granted a green light to Turkey’s Erdogan to invade north-eastern Syria, a region dominated by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Secondly, on 17th October, Trump sent vice president Mike Pence to Ankara to sign a very shameful and unfair ceasefire deal between Turkish forces and their mercenaries of Syrian Arab and Turkmen militias from one side, and Kurdish-led SDF from another side.

The American – Turkish ceasefire deal on Syrian Kurdistan came in favour of the aggressor, viz. Turkey and against the victims or who were attacked, namely Kurds and SDF. These victims who are considered as Washington’s partners and allies who have fought ISIL on behalf of the entire world and who have paid more than 11,000 martyrs during the confrontation of the most powerful and dangerous terrorist organisation in the world.

The reprehensible and deplorable deal between U.S. and Turkey consists of 13 items. All crucial items in the agreement were formulated for the benefit of Turkey and its expansionist goals in Syria and Rojava. Items 9-12 summarised the immoral essence of the scandalous pact has done by Trump and Erdogan at the account of Kurds and SDF. These items encompass explicitly all conditions that Turkey has always demanded in north and north-eastern Syria and meet all Turkish alleged security concerns.

According to a statement issued by American vice president’s office, the joint Turkish – American statement states “9. The two sides agreed on the continued importance and functionality of a safe zone in order to address the national security concerns of Turkey, to include the re-collection of YPG heavy weapons and the disablement of their fortifications and all other fighting positions”. 10. “The safe zone will be primarily enforced by the Turkish Armed forces”. 11. “The Turkish side will pause Operation Peace Spring in order to allow the withdrawal of YPG from the safe zone within 120 hours. Operation Peace Spring will be halted upon completion of this withdrawal”. 12. “Once Operation Peace Spring is paused, the US agrees not to pursue further imposition of sanctions under the Executive Order of October 14, 2019 ... Once Operation Peace Spring is halted as per paragraph 11 the current sanctions under the aforementioned Executive Order shall be lifted”.

It is axiomatic to say that Erdogan’s Turkey is the fundamental triumphant in this farce agreement. The waging of this dirty war by Erdogan against Kurds and other components in the most stable and peaceful region of north and north-eastern Syria was a vital matter for political present and future of Erdogan and his ruling party AKP. Furthermore, the disappointing ceasefire in Rojava arose to underpin Erdogan’s position inside Turkey as victorious and protector of Turkey’s security causing a great embarrassment to his opponents. This, in turn, will support Erdogan and his party, to a certain extent, to win in the forthcoming municipal, parliamentarian and presidential elections in Turkey. Likewise, it will relatively aid him to weed out a set of accumulated critical economic, social and political complications inside Turkey.

On the one hand, Erdogan succeeded to impose his own stipulations with regard to the settings, structure, dimensions and objectives of the “safe zone” in north and north-eastern Syria. On the second hand, the YPG or SDF will be withdrawn from the “safe zone” up to 20 miles as Turkey has commanded. On the third hand, the previous, current and planned American sanctions against Turkey will be abolished.

Russia and al-Assad regime are the second winners from this one-sided and prejudicial truce because they recontrolled some areas that they had never been in since 2012. When Turkey and their Syrian militias attacked Kurds on 10th October, the latter appealed to the Russians and the Syrian regime after the Americans abandoned and betrayed them. Russia, in turn, has played the role of a mediator between SDF and Syrian regime to reach an agreement regarding the rights and future of Kurds in Syria. In return, Kurds and SDF will let the Syrian government troops to redeploy along the border between Syria and Turkey except the area between Sere Kanieh (Ras Al-Ein) and Gere Sepi (Tell Abyad) which has been captured by Turkey to establish a “safe zone”. However, the pressing question is whether Russians and Turks will be able to understand and agree on the sticking points or the clash between the two forces on Syrian land is potential. Particularly, the situation in Idlib is fuelling their relationship from time to time.

Kurds and their military representative SDF, additionally their Self-Administration in north and north-eastern Syria are the main losers from this ceasefire agreement. They have lost, almost, 4,200 square kilometres between Ras Al-Ein and Tell-Abyad that has been occupied by Turkey. The future of their military wing SDF and their Self-Administration has become at stake under the persistent threat of Turkey. Also, hundreds of civilians and of SDF fighters have been killed and injured by Turkey and their mercenaries, in addition 300,000 have been displaced.

The Syrian Kurds represented in SDF and the Self-Administration in north and north-eastern Syria are about to reach an agreement with the Syrian government regarding the rights and future of Kurds in Syria under the supervision of Russians. It is clear that the Kurds and SDF will accept the minimum that the Syrian regime will give to them, since the imminent Turkish danger is threatening their existence. Similarly, the options open to Kurds are very few after the U.S. has left them as an easy and lone prey under the fangs and claws of the savage Turkish wolf who is always hungry for Kurdish blood. As a result, it would be very difficult for Syrian Kurds and SDF to trust U.S. anymore after they were abandoned and betrayed. It is also very important for Kurds and SDF to reconsider their policies, alliances and strategy at domestic and global levels before the time runs out and prior the glimmer of hope to be lost.

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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.