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Olive Crops in Afrin: Organized Plunder of Resources and Extortion of Indigenous Residents
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A media activist loyal to armed factions revealed serious violations in Afrin, reflecting the extent of corruption and injustice that has reached a level that can no longer be concealed even by Ankara

In a striking development revealing the depth of the crisis in Afrin, northern Syria, a media activist affiliated with Turkey-backed armed factions reported shocking details about widespread violations committed by Ankara-supported militias. This sheds light, from within pro-Turkish circles, on the scale of corruption and injustice that has reached levels that can no longer be covered up.
According to the published information, officials from the "Northern Hawks" faction, a component of the so-called "Syrian National Army," stole the fruits of about 400 olive trees in the village of Qizilbash/Red Head in the Bulbul district.
The theft was carried out in an organized manner, with dozens of workers brought in at night to steal an estimated 200 sacks of olives, equivalent to 300 cans of oil. These practices reflect a systematic pattern of plundering the resources of the indigenous population, confirming the policy of forced displacement and demographic change pursued by Turkey in the occupied areas of northern Syria.
The information also revealed that these officials imposed levies on landowners under the pretext of protection, demanding 400 Turkish liras for each olive grove to guard it, in addition to imposing a tax of 100 US dollars for each grove after the end of the current season.
This complicity reveals the depth of corruption in the management of areas under Turkish occupation and undermines any claims of achieving stability or good governance.
Activists from Afrin confirm that the publication of this information by an activist loyal to the armed factions indicates that the scale of violations in Afrin has reached a level that can no longer be hidden even by Turkey's supporters. This situation highlights the urgent need for international intervention to stop these practices and protect the indigenous population in Afrin and other occupied Syrian areas.
Under these circumstances, it becomes clear that what is happening in Afrin is more than just sporadic violations, but a systematic system of looting and extortion aimed at displacing the indigenous population and changing the demographic composition of the region, according to observers.
These observers emphasize that these practices constitute a flagrant violation of international law and call for urgent action by the international community to put an end to these crimes and end the Turkish occupation of Afrin and other Syrian areas occupied by Ankara.
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
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.
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