Saudi Arabia: No Limit to Aid for Syrian People

Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)
Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: No Limit to Aid for Syrian People

Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)
Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has reiterated that there is no cap on the assistance it will provide to Syria, as two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday and another on Thursday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge.
The planes transported 56 tons of various aid, including food, shelter, and medical supplies, accompanied by a team from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor to the Royal Court and supervisor general of KSrelief, announced that a land convoy will soon follow the air bridge in the coming days.
Dr. Samer Al-Jatili, spokesperson for KSrelief, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia’s relief efforts for the Syrian people under this aid initiative are “without limit.” He emphasized that the aid will continue until humanitarian needs are met and the situation stabilizes, in line with the directives of the Saudi leadership to alleviate the suffering of affected populations.
Al-Jatili also revealed plans to send fuel-laden trucks to Syria via Jordan, with the fuel earmarked specifically for bakeries to help them sustain operations amid current challenges.
Saudi chargé d’affaires in Syria, Abdullah al-Haris, emphasized while receiving the first aid plane that this assistance extends Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts through KSrelief, aimed at easing the suffering of the Syrian people during the ongoing crisis.
Dr. Mohammed Bakleh, president of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, confirmed that the aid would be distributed to all those in need across Syria without discrimination.
Saudi Arabia has long supported the Syrian people, hosting 3 million Syrians since the crisis began in 2011. The Kingdom has offered essential services such as free education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, while facilitating their reintegration into society. It has also provided grants and humanitarian assistance to displaced Syrians in neighboring countries and to those affected by the catastrophic earthquake that struck northern Syria in February 2023.
Statistics show that the Kingdom has delivered $856.891 million in aid to the Syrian people from 2011 to the end of 2024.

 



UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
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UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bolstering "brotherly" ties with Syria during the first official visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, Emirati state news agency WAM reported.

The two ministers also discussed the overall developments in Syria since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition factions on Dec. 8.

The UAE's foreign minister reiterated the country's support for Syria's independence and sovereignty, WAM added.

Syria's Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, head of intelligence Anas Khattab and the UAE's minister of state for defense affairs, Mohammed Fadel al-Mazrouei, also attended the meeting.

The UAE is part of Shibani's second foreign tour, which earlier took him to Qatar and will also include a visit to Jordan. He said the visits aim to "support stability, security, economic recovery and build distinguished partnerships", according to his account on X.

Shibani made his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia last week, where Saudi officials discussed how best to support Syria's political transition.