US Strikes Target Houthi Missile Official... Strategic Raids on Hodeidah
The successive US military operations in Hodeidah governorate reflect an integrated strategy to target Houthi capabilities and cut off their military supply lines coming through the Red Sea
March 23, 2025, 10:47 pm

US Strikes Target Houthi Missile Official... Strategic Raids on Hodeidah

قصف الحوثيين في اليمن \ تعبيرية

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz revealed on Sunday that Washington has successfully eliminated high-ranking Houthi leaders during its recent military operations in Yemen.

In statements to the American CBS network, he explained, "We have eliminated Houthi leaders, including their missile official, and struck their headquarters, communication centers, weapons factories, and even some drone production facilities," without specifying the exact identities of the eliminated leadership figures.

He added that the American administration seeks to completely dismantle Iran's nuclear program. These statements came following the US Air Force's execution of three raids on Hodeidah International Airport, according to what was reported by Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath correspondent on Saturday.

The correspondent reported that the new American attacks targeted warehouses, missile launch platforms, and drone platforms at Hodeidah Airport in southern Yemen.

Al-Arabiya sources also confirmed that the American raids on Hodeidah included the naval base in the Al-Kathib area, resulting in the injury of Houthi naval commander Mansour Al-Saadi, known as "Abu Sajjad," along with 7 other elements.

Hodeidah governorate is considered a strategic center for the Houthis from military, security, and economic perspectives. It hosts ports and military bases belonging to the group and represents a main crossing point for weapons and support flowing to the group through smuggling networks from the Red Sea.

It is worth noting that since the end of last week, Washington began a large-scale air campaign against Houthi sites, especially in the governorates of Hodeidah and Saada.

In contrast, the Houthi group has announced four times the launching of missiles toward Israeli targets since Israel resumed its military operations on the Gaza Strip last Tuesday, noting that the Houthis had suspended their attacks on Israel and navigation in the Red Sea since the Gaza ceasefire came into effect on January 19.

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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.