Trump's gift to Erdogan: Surrender deal and the big win for terrorism
October 20, 2019, 8:38 am

Trump's gift to Erdogan: Surrender deal and the big win for terrorism

Zara Saleh

Zara Saleh*

The United Nations chemical weapons inspectors declared that they are investigating gathering information about white phosphorus which was used by the Turkish army against children in North Syria. This had happened last week since the Turkish president began his “ Spring Peace” operation to invade the kurdish territories.

Yesterday, after American- Turkey’s cease-fire deal agreement to establish Turkey’s demand “ Safe Zone” in depth of 20 miles in North Syria < between Sari- Cani and Tal-Abiad >, the American president Donald Trump was proud of his achievement reaching this deal and in public meeting he said: “ Some times you have to let them fight like two kids in lock. You gotta let them fight then you pull them apart.” . Then Trump added “ without tough love this could NEVER have been made. Turkey is gonna happy, Kurds is gonna happy .. ISIS is gonna be unhappy”.

Following Trump's speech, of course Turkey would definitely be more than happy, because Erdogan has always been planning to invade the Eastern Euphrates aiming to create a “ Safe Zone” and to attack the Kurds and their homeland in Rojava- Syrian Kurdistan. Eventually, by Erdogan’s strategic plan, he wants to occupy all North Syrian territories, but his main goal is that he wants to destroy the kurdish self-administration led by the Kurds and to prevent the establishment of a “ kurdish state” on its Southern border. On the other hand, ISIS is going to be happy ,not as Trump said that they were supposedly going to be unhappy. Due to the Turkey’s invasion and air strikes, thousands of IS fighters and families have been released from prison and camp which is controlled and protected by kurdish forces after defeating ISIS in March 2019. Also there is a big risk these ISIS fighters might escape from the SDF prisons. So, there will be a new chance for IS’s resurgence. In addition to this risk, there is another issue which is not very known and obvious regarding the so-called “ Syrian National Army “. In fact, these militias were Syrian opposition mercenaries fighters whose leading by Turkey. In 2012- 2013 these groups were members of ISIS and Al- Nusra Front and they were smashed by the Kurdish forces, then they run away to Turkey. There are approximately about 14000 jihadist who want to control Turkey’s safe zone.

Obviously, it seems as this “ tough love “ Trump's bloody game as a one of its hobbies. However, for Kurds this is an issue of national existence and plan of demographic change by displacing them from their homeland and resettlement of 2 million refugees in kurdish areas. Consequently, casualties and war crimes has been reported and about half million people have fled their home, whereas Trump is talking about “ kids fight “ and “ tough love” !!

For several years the Kurds were victims of Assad regime and now, they are targeted by Erdogan as well. But in the last few years of the war against terrorism, the Kurds were the most effective and reliable forces on the ground and as a Western ally. They shouldn't be abandoned where they are facing genocide and ethnic cleansing by Turkey and its Syrian opposition extremists militia and by the Syrian regime as well. So, it will be a grave mistake and Americas betrayal to its allies .

• Political analyst

Indian soldiers, Pakistani civilians among dead in Kashmir clash EU moves to ratify Brexit accord despite delay request

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.