Why Turkey insists establishing “ Safe Zone” North Syria?
August 23, 2019, 10:32 am

Why Turkey insists establishing “ Safe Zone” North Syria?

Zara Saleh

Zara Saleh

There is no doubt that US agreed to set up a joint operation centre with Turkey in southern province to work on a planned buffer zone in North and East Syria. Turkey’s threats to invade eastern Euphrates and to launch a military offensive against the YPG which controls some enclaves in northeast Syria, even if the US agreed or not. Recently, the Turkish president Erdogan went so far in one of his speeches threatening the Syrian Kurds by ‘burying them under the soil.’

The US plan is based on keeping balance in between its two allies < Turkey and SDF >, then attempting to hash out a safe zone deal that would encourage Turkey to hold off on any military attacks.

Since the beginning of the Syrian uprising, Turkey’s messages towards the Syrian Kurds was obvious and clear that they were against any Kurdish autonomy in his southern border. Their announcements were always standing against any kurdish ambitious, even if the Kurds tried to create a state in a very small village anywhere.

Despite the fact that regarding the Turkey’s Phobia towards the kurdish issue and rights, there are some certain contradictions in Turkish position on many political issues. Firstly, why does Turkey want to invade and control all kurdish provinces in northeast Syria but it had a very special and economical relations with the Kurdish region in Iraq? Secondly, why didn’t Turkey mention any words regarding the safe zone when ISIS controlled large areas of northern Syria on the Turkish border? In addition, why does Turkey want to return the Syrian refugees by displacing them into kurdish areas inside Syria?

It is obvious that the Turkish governments Kurdophobia is in the core of its policies. Furthermore, Turkey now, in eastern Euphrates, are attempting to renew the same scenario of Afrin < A north- Western Syrian province that was a kurdish stronghold until a Turkish pinch in January 2018>. As a result, Afrin became a Turkish Vilayet< state >, with an Arab and Turkmen majority. Whereas, more than half of the kurdish population in Afrin has been displaced to different areas outside of their homeland. This experienced plan has already been implemented by Turkey and Russia to the people from eastern Gouta < south Syria>. They were displaced in north Syria, which the plan aims a demographic change based on sectarian strife. This deal was made between Russia and Turkey, where the areas of Southern Syria including Eastern Gouta, where handed over to the Syrian regime in exchange for allowing Turkey to occupy Afrin.

The newly established zone will be used by Turkey to return more than 3 million Syrian refugees. This plan, definitely, would lead to demographically reforming a border that is dominated by kurdish population which Turkey wants to transform into an Arab and Turkmen stronghold. It is a similar plan and will change the demography which Ba'ath Party did in the 60s by establishing the Arab Belt.

Turkey has not made commitments to Russia in terms of Astana’s agreement to eliminate extremists militia such as Al-Nusra front. Following that, it could lose Idlib in favour of Assad's regime. That is why Turkey is trying to assure its share in the ‘ Syrian Pie' after reaching a political solution over the Geneva negotiations. That is why Turkish government concerns about controlling Eastern Euphrates, simultaneously following its chronic complexity and increased sensitivity to any development related to the kurdish issue. But the main and big question is that to what stage will the US allow its NATO ally to achieve the expansionist desire and attempts to destabilize the areas of American influence? Any American accepting for the Turkish plan would probably affect its relations with the Kurds and it could push SDF to return back to the Syrian regime which Russia and Iran both want to happen soon.

Damascus forces surround Turkish post in Idlib From Qatar to Libya, Turkish bases spread the devastation, and guard Erdogan's ambitions

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.