Turkey’s “Buffer Zone” in Northern Syria
May 29, 2022, 10:33 am

Turkey’s “Buffer Zone” in Northern Syria

Jwan Dibo

Turkey is preparing to launch a new aggression against the Kurds in northern Syria, with the aim of expanding the so-called Turkish "buffer or safe zone" inside Syria.

Realistically speaking, Turkey began building the so-called “buffer zone” in conjunction with its repeated invasions of Syrian lands, which began in 2016 and have not stopped so far. Especially when it occupied the Kurdish city of Afrin in March 2018, and the cities of Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad in October 2019.

The Turkish proposal to create a “buffer zone” in northern Syria dates back to 2014. Erdogan's Turkey has justified this proposal as a vital necessity to protect Turkish national security, considering that the Kurds' attempts to emancipate go against Turkish national security.

On the one hand, the government of Justice and Development Party (AKP) will undermine what remains of Kurdish hopes of enjoying rights within the hoped-for new Syria. On the other hand, Erdogan will try to get rid of the burden of Syrian refugees inside Turkey. This issue has become a cause for discontent among Turkish voters, especially as the country will witness tumultuous general parliamentary elections next year.

In addition, the deportation and housing of Syrian refugees in the “buffer zone”, which will be under direct Turkish occupation, will lead to massive demographic changes to the detriment of the Syrian Kurds.

Turkey has strongly re-proposed the issue of the “buffer zone” in northern Syria in conjunction with the dramatic events taking place in Europe as a result of the Ukrainian crisis. The Ukrainian crisis, which Turkey is trying to benefit from by bargaining with the two parties of the conflict, namely Russia and the United States, by passing its own agendas on more than one issue and in more than one country.

The issue of Finland and Sweden joining NATO is one of the issues that Turkey is trying to bargain on with Washington and Moscow alike. Turkey has asked Sweden and Finland not to harbour and support “terrorists”, in reference to members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In order for Turkey to agree to Sweden and Finland to join NATO, it indirectly asked Washington to approve its poisonous project regarding the completion of the “buffer zone” in north and north-eastern Syria.

Ankara also sent a signal to Moscow that it is ready not to accept Stockholm and Helsinki membership in NATO, provided that Moscow does not confront its intention to carry out the construction of the “buffer zone” in northern Syria.

The Turkish escalation against the Kurds in Syria coincides with Operation Claw Lock, which Turkey launched against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in Iraqi Kurdistan on April 20.

The Turkish escalation against the Kurds is far beyond the alleged Kurdish danger and is related to Erdogan's sweeping desire to restore control over the northern regions of Syria and Iraq as lands belonging to the defunct Ottoman Empire. This is related to Turkey's unique conviction that the validity of the 1923 Lausanne Treaty, which ended the Turkish Ottoman Empire, will expire within the next year, which will allow Turkey to re-annex many lands and countries according to the Turkish populist conviction.

The options for the Kurds in Syria are very limited, especially as their political and military forces are disjointed. Therefore, their only hope is that Washington and Moscow will not allow Ankara to launch a new aggression against them. But this hope is very slim, because international relations are governed only by the principle of interests. Washington and Moscow's interests with Ankara are more important than the Kurds, who are considered the weakest, least cunning and experienced players in the political game in Syria.

It seems that Erdogan will go ahead with his plan to carry out a new attack against the Kurds, because such a step, at this particular time, is considered crucial for Erdogan and his rule. Also, the geopolitical climate now is more favourable for Erdogan to increase his demands from the West and Moscow alike.

BY: Jwan Dibo

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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.