James Denseiow

In a move that surprised some Kurdish-led authorities released last Thursday hundreds of militants from the Islamic State group imprisoned in northern Syria, as part of a general amnesty in the region controlled by the U.S.-backed fighters.

Amina Omar, the head of the Syrian National Council, told reporters that IS members who were released have “no blood on their hands” and have all repented joining IS at some point. “They are people who can be reformed,” Omar said shortly before the men were freed. The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) said the 631 prisoners were released Thursday while 253 others will have their terms cut in half.

The SDF clarified that the amnesty does not apply to ISIS members found guilty of killing Syrians, an effort to mitigate public backlash. However, critics have warned that ISIS will benefit from the injection of new fighters into its insurgency and will likely intimidate and recruit vulnerable civilian returnees. The US-based Institute for the Study of War put out a statement criticising the SDF for not having “a process to deradicalize or reintegrate released ISIS sympathizers”.

Kurdish authorities currently operate more than two dozen detention facilities scattered across north-eastern Syria, holding about 10,000 IS fighters. Among the detainees are some 2,000 foreigners whose home countries have refused to repatriate them, including about 800 Europeans.

This last point is a critically important one to remember when considering what could be seen as double standards from States who are critical of Kurdish policy when they have continually failed to take responsibility for their own citizens.

The US can’t be accused of this having been proactive in taking back both those Americans accused of being IS fighters as well as their families. Washington is reportedly even sending officials to deal with the Government in Damascus to secure the release of American hostages as part of its effort to return its civilians from the country.

Russia evacuated 27 children from al-Hol camp in northeast Syria late on Thursday night using a Russian defence ministry plane, the office of a presidency-affiliated children's rights commissioner has announced. European States have made efforts to return orphan or unaccompanied children but have been generally glacial in their speed of response.

Meanwhile humanitarian agencies have continually warned as to the terrible conditions in the camps. 94 per cent of the camp for the displaced, is made up of women and children. Winter is approaching and reports of families living in tents frequently submerged in several feet of filthy water. The camps are expensive to maintain and are obvious security risks as well as humanitarian disaster zones. Indeed, Covid cases have been reported and official numbers are likely an underestimate.

The whole situation is a dilemma that reflects the protracted complexity of Syria’s war. What to do with fighters and their families from transnational non-state group that are now under the jurisdiction of another non-state group within a country that has almost reached a decade of civil war?

Whilst the focus from the outside maybe on those who are released the Kurdish-led administration in north-east Syria has also referred approximately 900 suspected Daesh fighters to its legal system for trial in the city of Qamishli. The administration announced on Saturday, for example, that it is to release all of those detained for petty crimes or suffering terminal diseases, and those over the age of 75.

The releases came after repeated calls from the Arab tribes that dominate much of the region administered by the Kurds. This is a clear and present political challenge that the SDC is surely sensitive to and they are right to call on more international engagement and responsibility to deal with the remaining non-Syrian nationals in their jurisdiction.

One long mooted suggestion that may get more traction now is the idea of some form of international court or ad hoc legal mechanism to put the foreign suspects on trial. This could guarantee that suspects from 55 countries get a fair trial under international law.

What the amnesty has provoked again is a discussion that reminds us how unsustainable the status quo of the last few years has been. Although the north-eastern corner of Syria can feel like an isolated and remote part of the world, we must always remember that ISIS at its peak flourished in such distanced and neglected locations. The situation must be urgently owned by those who are committed to a more peaceful future for the region.

by : jamse danselow

Beware the Lame Duck Presidency Trump Unleashed

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.