International donors at a European Union-led conference in Brussels pledged €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) on Monday to support Syria’s new authorities, who are grappling with humanitarian and security crises following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
The pledges fell short of last year’s €7.5 billion, with EU officials blaming cuts in U.S. aid as a key reason. European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib acknowledged that while the EU remains committed to Syria’s recovery, “we can’t fill the gap left by others.”
The Brussels conference has been held annually since 2017, with Assad’s government excluded due to its role in the civil war. However, in a significant shift, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani attended this year’s gathering alongside European and Arab ministers.
EU officials are treating Assad’s overthrow in December as an opportunity for a fresh start, though deadly clashes this month between the new Islamist rulers and Assad loyalists have raised concerns about stability.
“This is a time of dire needs and challenges for Syria, as tragically evidenced by the recent wave of violence in coastal areas,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. However, she also pointed to signs of progress, citing a March 10 agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led and U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into state institutions.
The EU estimates that 16.5 million Syrians require humanitarian aid, with 12.9 million in need of food assistance. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU would increase its pledge to nearly €2.5 billion ($2.7 billion) for 2025 and 2026, including an additional €160 million for this year.
Shibani welcomed the pledges, calling Syria’s reconstruction a “joint effort and a global partnership” in a post on X.
U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pederson noted that the decline in funding was driven by global competition for aid, citing conflicts in Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine. “Even without this month’s violence, the funding would have been less than in previous years,” he told Reuters.
Syria’s economic crisis has deepened, with the Syrian pound in freefall and nearly the entire population living in poverty. The country has lost four decades of development due to the war, and it will take at least a decade to return to pre-conflict levels, said Achim Steiner, head of the U.N. Development Programme.
Despite concerns over the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which ousted Assad and is designated a terrorist organisation by the U.N., EU officials remain open to engagement—provided the group follows through on pledges for an inclusive and peaceful transition.
Ukrainian air defenses have successfully destroyed 63 Russian-launched drones during an overnight strike, showcasing the country's continued ability to protect its skies amid ongoing aerial attacks.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled a new development plan on Sunday, titled the “Saudi Architecture Characters Map,” according to the official Saudi Press Agency. The initiative outlines 19 distinct architectural styles inspired by the country’s diverse geographical and cultural heritag
Türkiye's President Erdogan is seeking a meeting with former U.S. President Trump to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss key issues, Bloomberg News reports.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for March 18th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a 3,000-kilometer-range drone successfully passed testing. He also expressed satisfaction with the strike results of Ukrainian missiles, particularly the long-range Neptune.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron to coordinate positions ahead of the upcoming conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Paris police began a large-scale eviction of over 400 migrants from the Gaîté Lyrique theatre early Tuesday, ending their three-month occupation. Officers moved in before dawn as demonstrators gathered in protest.
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group announced Monday that it will withdraw from peace talks scheduled for Tuesday in Angola. The rebels had planned direct negotiations with the Democratic Republic of Congo's government to resolve the conflict in the country's east.
Ukrainian air defenses have successfully destroyed 63 Russian-launched drones during an overnight strike, showcasing the country's continued ability to protect its skies amid ongoing aerial attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a 3,000-kilometer-range drone successfully passed testing. He also expressed satisfaction with the strike results of Ukrainian missiles, particularly the long-range Neptune.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron to coordinate positions ahead of the upcoming conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Paris police began a large-scale eviction of over 400 migrants from the Gaîté Lyrique theatre early Tuesday, ending their three-month occupation. Officers moved in before dawn as demonstrators gathered in protest.
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group announced Monday that it will withdraw from peace talks scheduled for Tuesday in Angola. The rebels had planned direct negotiations with the Democratic Republic of Congo's government to resolve the conflict in the country's east.
Ukrainian air defenses have successfully destroyed 63 Russian-launched drones during an overnight strike, showcasing the country's continued ability to protect its skies amid ongoing aerial attacks.
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