Biden Promises Jordan with $1.45 Billion in Assistance Per Year

US President Joe Biden and Jordan's King Abdullah II meet in Jeddah. Photo: Petra
US President Joe Biden and Jordan's King Abdullah II meet in Jeddah. Photo: Petra
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Biden Promises Jordan with $1.45 Billion in Assistance Per Year

US President Joe Biden and Jordan's King Abdullah II meet in Jeddah. Photo: Petra
US President Joe Biden and Jordan's King Abdullah II meet in Jeddah. Photo: Petra

US President Joe Biden announced Saturday that Washington intends to sign a new MoU to assist Jordan with no less than $1.45 billion per year in US bilateral foreign assistance to the country.

“Biden announced the intention of the United States to enter into a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) for assistance for Jordan, in which the United States plans to make a commitment to support the provision of no less than $1.45 billion per year in US bilateral foreign assistance to Jordan, beginning in FY 2023 and ending in FY 2029,” a joint statement said following a meeting between Biden and King Abdullah II on the sidelines of an Arab-US summit in Jeddah.

“The MOU represents a major US political commitment to Jordan’s stability and the durability of the partnership,” it said.

“The MOU is designed to address Jordan’s extraordinary needs, supports King Abdullah II’s economic reform program, and ensure the long-term strength of the close partnership between the United States and Jordan,” the statement added.

The king stressed the importance of this support to Jordan’s economic reform plans, its efforts to realize more sustainable economic growth, and to mitigate the impact of regional crises.

The two leaders highlighted the strong defense partnership between the two countries, and reiterated commitment to their partnership in the fight against terrorism.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to continue working for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israel and the Palestinians on the basis of the two-state solution.

“They stressed the importance of fostering political and economic horizons through confidence-building measures that would set the ground for meaningful Palestinians-Israeli negotiations. They also emphasized the importance of including the Palestinians in regional cooperation projects,” the statement added.



Three Arrested Over Tadamon Massacre in Damascus

The suspected location of the Tadamon massacre in Damascus, Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The suspected location of the Tadamon massacre in Damascus, Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Three Arrested Over Tadamon Massacre in Damascus

The suspected location of the Tadamon massacre in Damascus, Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The suspected location of the Tadamon massacre in Damascus, Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Damascus Security Chief Lt. Col. Abdul Rahman Al-Dabbagh announced on Monday the arrest of a key figure involved in the 2013 massacre in the Tadamon district of Damascus, along with two other individuals who participated in the killings.

Al-Dabbagh stated that the suspects confessed to their involvement in a series of atrocities in the area, where more than 500 men and women were executed.

“After monitoring and investigation, we were able to apprehend one of the key criminals responsible for the 12-year-old Tadamon massacre in Damascus,” Al-Dabbagh said, according to the official news agency SANA.

“Following initial interrogations, we identified several other individuals involved in the massacre and arrested two of them,” he added.

Al-Dabbagh further stated that the three detainees confessed to their participation in the atrocities in Tadamon, where more than 500 men and women were executed without trial or charge.

“We are now coordinating with the relevant authorities to locate the sites of these massacres,” confirmed Al-Dabbagh.

“We assure the people of Syria that these criminals will not escape justice, and we will work to bring them before the courts to face a fair trial,” he said.

Al-Dabbagh did not disclose the identities of the three detainees. However, SANA later reported that one of them is named “Monzer Ahmad al-Jazairi” and that he has been referred to the relevant authorities for further investigation.

In a report published on April 27, 2022, The Guardian revealed details of a massacre carried out by Bashar al-Assad’s forces on April 16, 2013 in the Tadamon district.

The attack resulted in the deaths of around 41 people, who were subsequently buried in a mass grave.