ISIS Detainees.. Efforts to Return Thousands of Iraqis from Eastern Syria to Their Country
Coordination between Iraq, the United States, and their allies reflects a commitment to address the ISIS detainees file in an organized manner that ensures the 2014 experience is not repeated
January 13, 2025, 7:39 pm

ISIS Detainees.. Efforts to Return Thousands of Iraqis from Eastern Syria to Their Country

مخيم الهول شمال سوريا \ متداول

Six Iraqi officials, including a prominent political leader in Baghdad, reviewed details of a "wide-scale" security project currently being discussed between Baghdad, the Syrian Interim Government, and Ankara, under American supervision, targeting the situation of Gweiran Prison and Al-Hol Camp, which are under the administration of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Al-Hasakah Governorate, eastern Syria.

Iraq has simultaneously begun receiving the eighth group of Al-Hol Camp families, in the first transfer operation after the political change in Syria, where Iraqi institutions are transferring families to Al-Jadaa Camp, south of Mosul, to undergo psychological and social rehabilitation programs under UN mission supervision.

Estimates indicate that the number of families in the new batch exceeds 200 Iraqi families from Nineveh, Anbar, Kirkuk, and Salah al-Din governorates. Nineveh Migration Department officials confirm that it includes women, children, disabled persons, and elderly people whose security situations have been verified.

Iraqi sources reported that concerns about the consequences of any military operations targeting Syrian Democratic Forces positions in the eastern region have pushed toward accelerating this plan's implementation.

Iraq will accommodate approximately 3,000 prisoners out of the total 5,000 detainees in Gweiran, while Maghreb and Gulf countries will transfer their citizens, and the Syrian Interim Government will take responsibility for Syrian detainees.

An Iraqi security source revealed the limited time available to construct a new prison facility, indicating that their detention inside Iraq is a better option than keeping them in an unstable region.

Baghdad will accelerate the transfer of thousands of Iraqis from Al-Hol Camp during the first quarter of this year, numbering more than 20,000 people out of a total of 42,000 residents.

Turkey has given preliminary approval to establish a "security zone" on its border with Syria, including an integrated camp to accommodate the remaining residents of Al-Hol Camp, under its direct supervision until its complete dismantling.

International coalition officials are expected to arrive in Baghdad in the coming days to discuss the plan, which has the support of Iraqi officials who are driven by concerns about the collapse of the Industrial Prison if it faces any attack.

Iraqi political expert Ahmed Al-Nuaimi considers that dismantling the two facilities will constitute an important security step for Iraq and a political card for Turkey and the Syrian Interim Government.

Iraqi Deputy Minister of Migration, Karim Al-Nouri, warned that "neglecting Al-Hol Camp could lead to risks exceeding the 2014 events," confirming that "the state has initiated bold steps" to address this file.

Levant-Al-Araby Al-Jadeed

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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.