Interim government in Damascus to attend international aid conference

The interim government in Damascus will attend an international conference on Monday in Brussels to seek aid pledges for Syria, which continues to face significant humanitarian challenges and an uncertain political future following the departure of Bashar al-Assad.

The interim government in Damascus will participate on Monday in an annual international conference to seek aid pledges for Syria, which is facing significant humanitarian challenges and an uncertain political transition following the departure of Bashar al-Assad.

The conference, hosted by the European Union in Brussels since 2017, has previously been held without the participation of Assad's government due to its actions during the civil war that began in 2011.

With Assad’s removal in December, EU officials hope to use the conference as an opportunity for a fresh start, although concerns remain over recent violence that has involved clashes between the new authorities and Assad loyalists.

EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, described the situation as one of "dire needs and challenges," particularly highlighted by recent violence in coastal regions. However, she also expressed optimism, referencing an agreement reached on March 10 to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which control much of the northeast, into new state institutions.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group now in control of much of the country, is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations. Nevertheless, EU officials are engaging with the new rulers, provided they adhere to pledges of an inclusive and peaceful transition.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is expected to attend the event, alongside numerous European and Arab ministers, as well as representatives from international organisations.

The conference is seen as crucial, especially as the United States, under President Donald Trump, has significantly reduced its humanitarian and development aid programmes.

At last year’s conference, pledges amounted to 7.5 billion euros ($8.1 billion) in grants and loans, with the EU committing 2.12 billion euros for 2024 and 2025.

Approximately 16.5 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian aid, with 12.9 million requiring food assistance, according to the EU. The war’s destruction has been compounded by an economic crisis, which has led to a sharp depreciation of the Syrian pound and pushed much of the population below the poverty line.

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