The US Approach to Al-Hol Camp for ISIS Detainees in Northern Syria
September 18, 2022, 8:36 am

The US Approach to Al-Hol Camp for ISIS Detainees in Northern Syria

Jwan Dibo

From time to time, the US pretends that it is interested in finding a solution to the dilemma of Al-Hol prison camp in northern Syria. This camp was established following the destruction of the last ISIS stronghold in Syria by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Global Coalition against Daesh in the town of Baghouz in 2019.

Al-Hol camp is located on the outskirts of the town of Al-Hol in Al-Hasaka, northern Syria, adjacent to the Iraqi border. It includes around 60,000 refugees, more than 90 percent of whom are children and women who make up the families of ISIS combatants who were captured in their last bastion in the town of Baghouz.

In order for the US to show some credibility to this allegation, some American officials made a few visits to this camp, which is considered a ticking time bomb against SDF and the region in general. Note that this bomb has exploded several times in the very recent past.

The last visit of a high-ranking US official was by the General of the US Army and the supervisor of all US forces in the Middle East, Michael Eric Corella, on the 9th of this month. Senator Lindsey Graham and the commander of the international coalition forces against ISIS in Iraq and Syria had previously visited Ghweran prison in al-Hasaka and al-Hol camp.

After each visit, the American visitors declare the necessity of emptying the camp urging the relevant countries to receive their citizens. However, on the ground, nothing is happening, and the countries concerned are still reluctant to take back their nationals, especially EU countries. On the contrary, things are going from bad to worse in Al-Hole camp as well as in Ghweran jail.

So far, the US has not been able to persuade the countries concerned to receive their citizens from ISIS fighters who are being held by the SDF. The US, also, did not provide sufficient support to the SDF neither financially nor in terms of equipment, to enable the SDF to monitor prisoners from ISIS terrorists.

All that Washington has made so far are mere promises that have not been translated on the ground, and there are no indications of the possibility of turning those pledges into a reality. This, in turn, reflects, as usual, Washington's lack of seriousness in dealing with this issue and not considering it a priority.

The latest US emphasis on the issue of al-Hol detention camp for Islamic State detainees in northern Syria is often to throw ashes in the eyes. For Washington, to leave al-Hol camp unresolved reflects many of the puzzles of the dirty game of nations that have been taking place in succession on Syrian geography since 2011.

It seems that Washington is benefiting from keeping this time bomb. On the one hand, this time bomb poses a threat to Russia, the Syrian regime and Iran, according to Washington estimates. On the second hand, this outstanding issue remains an excuse for Washington's unlimited and incomprehensible presence in Syria.

On the third hand, Washington realises that if Turkey carries out its threats to invade northeastern Syria, this will increase the morale of the ISIS prisoners, and will even release them from their prisons. This will result in more shuffling and more creative chaos that Uncle Sam has always been working for.

BY: Jwan Dibo

William and Harry prepare to hold vigil by late queen's coffin Concerns over “Jihadists” ties to ISIS in Al-Hawl - French families

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.