While Heading to Raqqa.. Twenty Druze Citizens Detained and Growing Concern About Them
The repeated detention of Druze civil activists and participants in cultural events raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and movement for religious minorities in various Syrian regions
April 6, 2025, 10:52 pm

While Heading to Raqqa.. Twenty Druze Citizens Detained and Growing Concern About Them

The detention of 20 Druze citizens from Sweida province continues in one of the security branches, following their arrest by General Security personnel in Homs province yesterday.

This incident represents a concerning development that raises fears among members of the Druze community amid the absence of clear information about the reasons for the arrest and the charges against the detainees.

According to sources, "the Druze detainees" were participating in the "Tamassuk" forum in Damascus, and while traveling to Raqqa province to participate in another activity, they were stopped and taken to a security branch, without knowing the charges against them, amid secrecy surrounding their fate.

On March 14, General Security personnel arrested 4 Druze young men at a checkpoint on "Ghassan Harfoush" street in Latakia, then transferred them to an unknown location, without information about their fate or the charges against them.

The recurrence of these incidents reflects a concerning pattern in dealing with Druze citizens, increasing the state of mistrust and tension between components of Syrian society.

These incidents have sparked a wave of criticism on social media platforms, with voices demanding disclosure of the fate of the Druze detainees and clarification of the legal reasons behind their detention.

Fears about the safety of Druze detainees are mounting amid circulating news about discriminatory practices and harsh treatment they may be subjected to during detention.

Reports have emerged about some Druze detainees being subjected to sectarian insults and humiliating practices, according to a Druze activist who spoke about details of his torture in Harem prison by General Security. These testimonies highlight fears of a sectarian approach in dealing with Druze detainees, intensifying sectarian tension.

Human rights organizations demand immediate disclosure of the fate of detained Druze citizens and providing legal guarantees for them, including the right to contact their families and obtain legal representation. Observers confirm that the continued targeting of Druze undermines efforts for peaceful coexistence between various components of Syrian society and reinforces sectarian division.

Sources from Sweida province, the main stronghold of the Druze community in Syria, indicate that these incidents have caused a state of frustration and apprehension among residents, especially with increasing talk about systematic targeting of members of the sect. This growing concern reflects the scale of challenges facing the Druze community in Syria during the current phase amid demands to guarantee their rights as equal citizens.

Informed sources reported that Druze detainees face difficulties in communicating with their families, with no information about their detention conditions and potential charges against them. These practices increase the sense of marginalization and targeting among members of the Druze community, which may push toward more congestion in Sweida province and other areas of Druze presence.

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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.