Saudi Arabia Gives $100 Million to Northeast Syria

People take part in a biking tour in Damascus. Image: Reuters
People take part in a biking tour in Damascus. Image: Reuters
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Saudi Arabia Gives $100 Million to Northeast Syria

People take part in a biking tour in Damascus. Image: Reuters
People take part in a biking tour in Damascus. Image: Reuters

Saudi Arabia said early on Friday that it has contributed $100 million to northeast Syria for “stabilization projects” in areas once held by ISIS and now controlled by US-backed forces.

The Saudi Embassy in Washington said the money “will save lives, help facilitate the return of displaced Syrians and help ensure that ISIS cannot reemerge to threaten Syria, its neighbors, or plan attacks against the international community.”

The money will go toward agriculture, education, roadworks, rubble removal and water service for the region, which is now largely held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.

“This substantial contribution will play a critical role in the coalition’s efforts to revitalize communities, such as Raqqa, that have been devastated by ISIS terrorists,” the embassy said in a statement.

Raqqa was the seat of the ISIS terror group’s self-proclaimed “caliphate” until it was liberated by the US-backed forces last year.

The Saudi Embassy described the $100 million as the largest coalition contribution to date for these liberated areas, as part of the pledge made by Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir during the July 12, 2018 Global Coalition Ministerial Conference in Brussels, hosted by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The US commended the Kingdom's generous contribution.

The US Department of State said, in a statement, that this important contribution is seen as critical in the efforts to achieve re-stabilization in these areas.

It comes at an important time of the international campaign as the regional control of ISIS has declined to the last of 400 square miles, and some 150,000 displaced people have returned to Raqqa. It added that thanks to the global coalition, the partners on the ground are restoring key services to the population of northeastern Syria.

The statement pointed out that a number of coalition partners have made pledges and contributions in recent months, noting hat Saudi Arabia has been a leading partner in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS from the outset.

The Department of State said that Saudi Arabia is a founding partner of the coalition and it hosted the meeting that helped in setting it up in 2014. It added that Saudi Arabia has contributed since then in many ways, including air raids in Syria, and participated in leading the Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG), establishing the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal), hosting more than 2 million Syrian refugees and providing more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid since the beginning of the Syrian conflict.

The Department of State called on all members of the coalition, regional partners and allies to do their share in this effort, which would help in bringing greater stability and security to the region.



Saudi Arabia Implemented $7.1-Billion-Worth Projects to Support Children

KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA
KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Implemented $7.1-Billion-Worth Projects to Support Children

KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA
KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA

Saudi Arabia actively marks World Children's Day, observed on November 20 every year, through a range of projects and initiatives carried out by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), which is dedicated to supporting children and promoting their well-being worldwide.

Since its establishment, KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. Among these, 965 projects were valued at over $924 million, specifically focusing on enhancing the living conditions of children and their families, alleviating their suffering and ensuring access to education in safe and healthy environments.

One significant project by the center is the rehabilitation and reintegration of children recruited and affected by the armed conflict in Yemen, which aims to support child soldiers in their journey back to society.

The project has positively impacted 530 children and 60,560 family members. It entails facilitating the children's integration into their communities, enrolling them in schools, and offering vital psychological and social support through targeted training courses, helping them to lead normal, fulfilling lives.
KSrelief is a key supporter of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), significantly contributing to the delivery of health services and nutrition programs for newborns and their mothers. The center also plays a crucial role in supporting educational initiatives and ensuring the continuity of education in crisis and disaster-affected areas.