Against Hezbollah.. "Fourth Division" Takes Measures to Avoid Tel Aviv's Anger
Prohibiting the hosting of Hezbollah elements and Iranian militias reflects the Syrian regime's confusion in managing its relationships with allies, and its effort to avoid direct confrontation with I
October 13, 2024, 10:07 pm

الفرقة الرابعة

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights revealed a series of precautionary measures taken by the Fourth Division, led by Major General Maher al-Assad, brother of Syrian regime president Bashar al-Assad, in a clear attempt to avoid repeated Israeli strikes, reflecting a state of confusion and weakness within the Syrian regime.

Observatory sources explained that the Division's leadership issued strict orders banning the transfer of weapons or hosting elements from Lebanese Hezbollah and Iranian militias inside its headquarters and bases. This highlights the confusion in Syrian regime policies and its frantic pursuit to avoid any provocation to Israel, even if at the expense of its relations with regional allies.

In a move reflecting further retreat, the Fourth Division prevented its forces deployed in Syrian areas from targeting the American or Israeli presence in the Golan. This decision comes in the wake of an Israeli targeting of a villa belonging to the Division near the town of Yaafour in rural Damascus at the end of last September, confirming the fragility of the regime's position and its inability to respond to Israeli aggressions.

The Fourth Division forces are distributed in the governorates of Damascus and its countryside, with a presence in Idlib and points in Deir ez-Zor. This wide spread makes it a potential target for Israeli strikes, which prompted it to take these defensive measures.

In a related context, the Syrian Observatory monitored intensive Israeli military movements near the border strip between Quneitra governorate and the Syrian Golan. These movements consisted of a large number of Israeli tanks and military vehicles stationed in the Golan Heights, in an explicit threat to the forces present on Syrian territory.

In a notable development, Israel has begun opening corridors in the Syrian Golan and detonating minefields along the ceasefire line several times over the past months, coinciding with the escalation of Israeli targeting, indicating Tel Aviv's determination to impose a new reality in the region.

Analysts view these developments as revealing the Syrian regime's inability to protect its territories and allies, highlighting the erosion of its ability to maneuver in the regional conflict, and confirming the deterioration of its influence in sensitive border areas, which may open the door to more foreign interventions in Syrian affairs.

Levant-Agencies

Israel Returns Livestock to Syrian Farmers.. Amid Damascus's Neglect of the Border American Reports Reveal Hamas' Planning of Gaza Attacks Since 2022

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.