US Airstrikes Target Iranian-Backed Militias in Syria
November 27, 2024, 9:56 am

US Airstrikes Target Iranian-Backed Militias in Syria

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US aircraft have carried out airstrikes on sites belonging to Iranian-backed militias in Syria in response to an attack that targeted their military bases in the region.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Wednesday, November 27, that it had struck a target associated with an Iranian-backed group in Syria, stating that this action was in response to an attack on American personnel.

CENTCOM indicated that the strike targeted a weapons storage facility belonging to the Iranian-backed faction, with the aim of reducing the group’s ability to plan and execute future attacks against US forces and the international coalition present in the area to support operations against the Islamic State.

In a statement by General Michael Kurilla, head of CENTCOM, it was emphasized that "as previously stated, we will not tolerate any attacks on our personnel and our partners in the coalition. We are committed to taking all necessary actions to ensure their protection."

CENTCOM also noted that it is still in the process of assessing the damage caused by the strike, while expressing the belief that there were no civilian casualties, and promised to provide updates as they become available.

As of the time of this report, there has been no official comment from the Syrian regime regarding the strike, although the areas where the Iranian-backed militias are based are considered to be under regime control.

This US strike follows reports of shelling targeting the "Al-Omar" oil field base, where US forces are stationed in eastern Deir ez-Zor province. The Russian news agency "Sputnik" reported that the Al-Omar base experienced four large explosions due to this missile attack, which attempted to be intercepted by ground defenses.

Deir ez-Zor province has seen a recurrence of US strikes against sites occupied by Iranian-backed militias, with this targeting being the third of its kind this month. The region is one of the most significant in Syria regarding the presence of Iranian militias, serving as a major transit point for militias coming from Iran and Iraq into Syria and then on to Lebanon.

Similar strikes have been frequent in eastern Deir ez-Zor near the Syrian-Iraqi border, as the area is considered an Iranian corridor that sometimes experiences a high density of arms smuggling and transfers, which fluctuates during different periods.

The US bases in the same area have faced repeated attacks, while the US has responded with strikes on Iranian-backed militia positions, which have also extended to include targets inside Iraq that were hit by US aircraft earlier this year.

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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.