Moscow Warns Israel Against Targeting Its Military Base in Syria
Repeated Russian warnings indicate real fears of escalating tension with Israel, potentially affecting Moscow's strategy in Syria
November 13, 2024, 11:22 pm

Moscow Warns Israel Against Targeting Its Military Base in Syria

مايك هاكابي \ تعبيرية \ متداولة

Russian military intervention in Syria since 2015 has emerged as an influential factor in both political and field scenes, with Moscow taking strict measures to secure its forces from potential risks.

This Russian strategy continues to the present, especially in light of repeated Israeli strikes inside Syrian territory targeting Hezbollah and Iranian objectives.

Russian President's Special Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev expressed his country's position, confirming that "the Russian Defense Ministry drew Tel Aviv's attention to the Israeli army's strike on a target in Syria near the Russian Hmeimim base in Latakia."

He explained that the Israeli raid in October targeted an area adjacent to Hmeimim base, indicating that targeting the Russian base would have led to serious consequences for Tel Aviv.

He emphasized that the operation hit a warehouse near the military base, highlighting that the ministry moved immediately after the attack, warning the Israeli side about the danger of these actions to Russian military personnel's lives, adding: "I hope such an incident won't be repeated."

Lavrentiev denied circulating news about using Hmeimim base to transfer Iranian weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, confirming that Moscow prevents its facilities from being used for this purpose, stating these were mere "rumors" and explaining that all shipments at the base undergo thorough inspection.

Previously, Russian Ambassador to Tel Aviv Anatoly Viktorov expressed hope for Israel's recognition of the risks of harming the Russian military in Syria, indicating Moscow had clarified this to relevant authorities.

Last month, an Israeli raid targeted an ammunition warehouse near Jableh city in rural Latakia, close to Russia's main air base in Syria, resulting in the site's destruction and huge explosions, coinciding with warships spotted off the coast and Syrian and Russian defense systems intercepting missiles for about 40 minutes.

Israel continues regular airstrikes inside Syrian territory, rarely claiming responsibility for these operations. When acknowledging attacks, it claims to target pro-Iran groups or Hezbollah weapons shipments.

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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.