Situation Deteriorates and Civilians Flee... France Condemns Massacres in the Syrian Coast and Demands International Investigation
Situation Deteriorates and Civilians Flee... France Condemns Massacres in the Syrian Coast and Demands International Investigation News Conclusions: France expresses deep concern over violent events i
March 9, 2025, 10:05 pm

Situation Deteriorates and Civilians Flee... France Condemns Massacres in the Syrian Coast and Demands International Investigation

مسلحو حكومة الجولاني يتوجهون إلى الساحل السوري

France has strongly condemned "violations targeting civilians on sectarian grounds" in Syria, calling for independent investigations to determine the circumstances of these crimes.

In a statement issued by the French Foreign Ministry on Saturday, Paris emphasized its strong condemnation of "sectarian abuses" that occurred in the Syrian coast, following violent clashes that erupted as a result of attacks launched by armed groups from remnants of the former regime against government forces.

The French Foreign Ministry called on "the transitional authorities in Syria" to ensure independent investigations that reveal the truth and hold those responsible for these crimes accountable. It also affirmed its commitment to "a peaceful and inclusive political transition process, free from any external interference," indicating that this approach is "the only way to preserve Syria's unity and prevent it from sliding into further chaos and violence."

Amid ongoing tensions, Syrian authorities announced on Saturday the reinforcement of security presence in the coastal region west of the country, where some areas have witnessed confrontations considered the most violent since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime last December.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the death toll on the Syrian coast has risen sharply since the outbreak of clashes on Thursday, March 6, indicating that the numbers continue to increase as fighting operations continue.

The Observatory clarified that "the death toll as of Saturday evening reached 1,018 people, including 745 civilians who were eliminated during massacres of a sectarian nature," adding that 125 members of security forces and the Ministry of Defense, including 93 Syrians, were killed in the confrontations, along with 148 armed individuals from the remnants of the former regime and its supporters in the region.

Amid escalating violence, the region has witnessed a major collapse in basic services. The Observatory confirmed that electricity and drinking water have been cut off from large parts of rural Latakia for the second consecutive day, leading to the shutdown of communication networks and the closure of markets and bakeries, while residents are unable to secure their basic needs.

Coinciding with this escalation, Syrian security forces announced that they "fought battles against armed groups affiliated with the former regime," while the Ministry of Defense confirmed that it is working to "control the security situation within cities and avoid expanding combat operations to preserve the safety of civilians."

In a move allegedly aimed at limiting security chaos, the Syrian Ministry of Defense, in coordination with the General Security Administration, announced the closure of all roads leading to the coastal area in an attempt to restore stability and stop violations. Military sources confirmed that combat operations have been temporarily suspended to evacuate the area of armed elements not affiliated with official security and military institutions.

With the increasing number of victims and the worsening humanitarian situation on the Syrian coast, questions arise about the future of the region and whether these developments will push the international community to take more serious steps in dealing with the complex Syrian landscape.

UK Foreign Secretary Calls Reports of Civilian Killings in Syria 'Horrific' Washington and Moscow Call for Emergency Meeting on Syrian Coastal Events

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.