Arab News: Saudi Arabia has contributed $100 million to help reconstruct areas of north-eastern Syria formerly held by Daesh. The Kingdom said the contribution would go toward a campaign by the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS to “stabilize” the former Daesh bastion and help ensure the militants cannot re-emerge as a threat.
The United States, which leads the coalition, expressed its thanks and appreciation to Riyadh.
“This significant contribution is critical to stabilization and early recovery efforts,” a State Department spokeswoman said. “Saudi Arabia has been a leading partner in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS from the outset.” The funds are the biggest single financial contribution yet for reconstruction efforts in areas formerly controlled by the extremists.
The money would “save lives, help facilitate the return of displaced Syrians, and help ensure that Daesh cannot reemerge to threaten Syria, its neighbors, or plan attacks against the international community,” the Saudi Embassy in Washington said.
The contribution aims to support “stabilization projects” and “will play a critical role in the coalition’s efforts to revitalize communities, such as Raqqa, that have been devastated by Daesh terrorists.”
The statement said the money showed Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to serve as a stabilizing force in the region.
The funds, part of a pledge made by Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir last month, will go towards projects to restore essential services in the areas of health, agriculture, electricity, water, education, and transportation.