Russia’s Persistent Extortion of SDF in North-eastern Syria
March 8, 2021, 2:57 pm

Russia’s Persistent Extortion of SDF in North-eastern Syria

Jwan Dibo

The concerns of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have recently escalated following the fifteenth round of negotiations in Astana among the three ‘guarantors’: Russia, Turkey, and Iran. SDF's apprehension stems from the possibility that Russia and Turkey can reach a clandestine deal at the expense of the influence of SDF. Russia’s short history in Syria is replete with such disgraceful covert agreements with Turkey at the account of prolonging the tragedy of the Syrian people.

Since Turkish occupation of the Kurdish city of Afrin in March 2018, Russia has never stopped extorting SDF by intimidating them through Turkey. Detachments of Russian Military Police withdrew from the city of Afrin in January 2018 prior Turkey began an offensive against Kurdish forces. Russia abandoned Afrin in return for Ghouta based on the shameful deal, later known as Afrin for Turkey, in exchange for Ghouta for Russia and Assad regime.

Russia’s aim behind giving Afrin to Turkey was to force Kurdish-led SDF to negotiate with Assad regime without preconditions. Likewise, to weaken US influence in Syria by undermining its local ally, namely SDF.

Nowadays, Russia is exerting the same dirty policy towards SDF in the town of Ain Isa In Raqqa and the town of Tal Tamer in the countryside of Hasakah. Russia threatens SDF that it will pull back its forces from Ain Isa and Tel Tamar if SDF will not acquiesce to Russia’s agendas in Syria. Consequently, SDF will be in asymmetric confrontations with Turkish army.

On the ground, Russia implemented recently partial withdrawal from both mentioned towns before coming back shortly. Later, the move was understood as a kind of redeployment in order to confuse SDF.

Since Kurdish-led SDF became the essential partner of US in Syria in late 2015, Russia has not stopped to incite other parties in Syria against SDF. It started with using Iranian and pro-Assad militias against SDF in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. After the failure to shrink SDF’s influence due to American persistent support, then Russia found that Turkey is the best way and power to minimise SDF role and size.

Therefore, Russia has always blessed Turkey for its expansionist policies in Syria, especially those targeting the Kurdish-led SDF. For Russia, Turkey has practically become an ally throughout the Syrian crisis. Russia initially won when it succeeded to create a rift between America and Turkey. Moscow culminated this victory in signing the S-400 missile deal with Ankara. This deal, which caused a deep fissure between Turkey on the one hand, and US and EU, on the other hand.

When Russia fights SDF, it implicitly challenges US influence in Syria. Therefore, in this case, Turkey is the best method for Russia to harass the American influence in Syria by curbing the leverage of SDF, which is Washington's only partner in Syria.

The options for SDF are very limited. The survival of SDF and the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria is linked to the US military presence in Syria. If US withdraws from Syria, everything will collapse because SDF will be in an unequal clash with the Turkish army. Moreover, Russia and the Syrian regime’s army will not hesitate to attack SDF, which the Syrian regime considers it a separatist project.

Apparently, Russia will continue blackmailing SDF in northeast Syria via Turkey since the balance of power on the ground tend to be in its favour. Moscow was even able to make Turkey join to its coalition by exaggerating the alleged Kurdish threat. The common factor among Moscow, Ankara, Damascus, and Tehran is fighting the US military presence in Syria. In addition, fighting Kurdish aspirations for liberation in the three countries is the old - new goal for the three countries.

But the scene may turn upside down if Biden's administration adopts more firm and clear policies regarding the Syrian issue. This scenario remains possible, knowing that it is somewhat improbable due to the absence of a clear-cut American strategy in Syria.

By: Jwan Dibo

Ordinary Iranians are Victims of Iran-US Standoff Better to live, not die for your country

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.