The Memory of the Eastern Ghouta Massacre in Syria: Ongoing Pain...
August 22, 2024, 2:12 pm

Eastern Ghouta Massacre by Syrian Regime

The Memory of the Eastern Ghouta Massacre in Syria: Ongoing Pain

The Eastern Ghouta massacre on August 21, 2013, is not just a memory—it was a day when the regime annihilated its people using chemical weapons, internationally banned arms, and sarin gas without mercy, all to keep a ruler in power, a ruler whose seat is stained with the blood of innocents.

It is worth noting that Eastern Ghouta was one of the first areas from which the peaceful Syrian revolution emerged before it became armed, with protests calling for the overthrow of the regime. The massacre was an act of retaliation against this, especially since the area had fallen out of Assad's control in 2012 and was subjected to a year-long siege that led to a humanitarian crisis where residents suffered from hunger.

The Syrian Interim Government issued a statement condemning the chemical massacre that took place in Eastern Ghouta on August 21, 2013, which resulted in the death of 1,144 people, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

The statement read: "Today marks the 11th anniversary of the chemical massacre in Ghouta, perpetrated by the criminal Assad regime, which stands as one of the most heinous massacres in modern history."

The government explained in its statement that "at dawn on August 21, 2013, regime forces launched a rocket bombardment campaign targeting various areas in the towns of Eastern Ghouta with rockets loaded with chemical warheads. This led to the martyrdom of more than 1,500 people, most of them women and children, and caused thousands of others to suffer from asphyxiation."

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The statement added: "Despite the brutality of the crime, the international community merely condemned and denounced it without taking any deterrent measures against the perpetrators. This emboldened the Assad regime to commit more massacres and use chemical weapons again, as occurred in Khan Sheikhoun and Al-Lataminah in 2017."

The government's statement pointed out that "the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons confirmed the Syrian regime's responsibility for many chemical attacks, yet it remains unpunished to this day."

The statement concluded by emphasizing the necessity of holding the Syrian regime accountable for its crimes, stressing that the Syrian people will not accept anything less.

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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.