Russia: the attack by the Syrian regime on Idlib does not violate any agreements with Turkey
August 27, 2019, 8:08 am

Russia the attack by the Syrian regime on Idlib does not violate any agreements with Turkey

The Russian Information Agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on Monday that the Syrian regime's attack on Idlib, backed by Russia, does not violate any agreements with Turkey.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday that attacks by the Syrian regime army in the northwest caused a humanitarian crisis and threatened Turkish national security, the presidency said.

Syrian regime forces encircled opposition fighters and a Turkish military post in northwestern Syria to recover the land and towns it lost in the early days of the war.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that 60 people were killed by the regime, armed factions and civilians in northwestern Syria on Sunday during clashes that broke out east of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern countryside of Idlib.

The observatory also added that the regime forces tried to advance from the axis of Tamanah east of Khan Sheikhoun from their positions in Tal Taraa amid intensive ground and air preparation.

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Syrian regime forces have mobilized on Saturday as part of military reinforcements north of the strategic city of Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib, in an attempt to continue their progress in the region after it was able to encircle a Turkish observation post.

The regime forces, on Friday, took control of all towns and villages that were under the control of opposition factions in the northern countryside of Hama, after advancing south of Khan Sheikhoun, over which it took full control on Wednesday.

The Syrian regime is desperate

The regime's objective is to restore the part of the international road linking Damascus and Aleppo through Idlib, as a vital artery linking the most important cities from Aleppo in the north to Hama and Homs in the center, then Damascus to the Jordanian border in the south, of course with Russian support.

After over three months of heavy Syrian and Russian bombardment of areas in Idlib and parts of neighboring provinces, regime forces began an offensive on 8 January, which managed to recapture several towns in the southern countryside of Idlib and Northern Hama, where they cordoned off, on Friday, the largest Turkish observation post. In the town of Morek.

In return, Turkey, which supports opposition factions, has deployed 12 observation posts in Idlib and its environs, under agreements with Russia supporting the Syrian regime, avoiding an attack that has long been waged by Damascus. The latter accuses Ankara of stalling the implementation of an agreement to establish a demilitarized zone in and around Idlib.

Syrian opposition launches largest Khan Sheikhoun attack since regime takeover Trade union demonstrations in Istanbul against Erdogan condemn the dismissal of the three mayors and the living conditions

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.