Bloody Incident Shakes Village Near Banias... Mayor and Families Targeted in Armed Attack
The governing authorities bear significant responsibility for controlling security conditions and combating armed groups that carry out organized targeting operations against innocent civilians
March 31, 2025, 6:23 pm

Bloody Incident Shakes Village Near Banias... Mayor and Families Targeted in Armed Attack

استهداف مدنيين في قرية حرف بنمرة

Masked gunmen targeted six civilians in the village of Harf Bnimra near Banias, including the village mayor, in an organized assassination operation that raised fears of escalating violence in the region.

This bloody incident raises serious questions about the security apparatus's ability to control lawlessness and protect civilians amid increasing armed attacks.

Testimonies from the stricken village indicate that the perpetrators were only two individuals who entered the village and requested to meet the mayor, "Jawdat Fares." Upon his arrival, they began shooting at him and those around him.

This direct targeting of the mayor highlights attempts to destabilize community stability and target local symbols of authority in villages and towns.

Local sources reported that the victims are Mayor Jawdat Fares and his son Najdat, in addition to the owner of the house that received them, Somer Shaheen, his son Ibrahim, his brother Thaer Shaheen, and the father Ibrahim Shaheen.

These incidents require quick measures from the concerned authorities to enhance security, protect citizens, and activate early warning mechanisms to prevent more casualties.

Reports indicate that the gunmen fled toward the Disna point near the village, while security forces cordoned off the area in search of the perpetrators.

This incident comes in the context of escalating acts of violence in various regions of Syria, where a similar crime occurred in Homs that claimed an entire family, indicating a worrying pattern of violence against civilians.

The incident sparked a wave of comments and opinions on social media platforms, where some citizens called for the necessity of holding criminals accountable and revealing the truth of what happened, while others warned of the dangers of politicizing the crime and using it to inflame tensions.

These events pose a major challenge to the Syrian interim caretaker government, which seeks to extend its control over regions and ensure citizens' security, amid the spread of weapons and the multiplicity of armed groups.

Notably, American, British, and French warnings issued last week pointed to potential security risks, which calls for greater coordination with the international community to combat security threats.

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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.