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.
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EU ministers vowed on Monday to explore ways to save Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) after U.S. President Donald Trump cut its funding, but warned that replacing U.S. support would not be easy.
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.
A U.S. spy drone withdrew from near Iranian airspace after being intercepted by Iranian F-14 fighter jets and reconnaissance drones, Iran’s Nournews reported on Monday, citing the country's Army Air Force.
Germany’s constitutional court has rejected last-minute legal challenges to a €500 billion ($546 billion) infrastructure fund proposed by conservative leader Friedrich Merz.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally heading back to Earth after spending nine unexpected months aboard the ISS due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner. Their long-awaited return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon caps a mission filled with delays, challenges, and global attention.
Tensions rise along the Lebanon-Syria border after the abduction and killing of Syrian security forces. Syria accuses Hezbollah of orchestrating the attack, while the group denies involvement. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation are underway.
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on Gaza, following the collapse of negotiations to extend a ceasefire. The strikes have resulted in significant casualties, while efforts to resume peace talks remain stalled.
A tragic plane crash off the coast of Honduras has claimed seven lives after the aircraft plunged into the sea moments after departing Roatán Island. Authorities say several passengers may still be trapped inside.
EU ministers vowed on Monday to explore ways to save Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) after U.S. President Donald Trump cut its funding, but warned that replacing U.S. support would not be easy.
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World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan process, we cannot forget the years of occupation, and we will not forget them, President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Global Baku Forum.
President Donald Trump has vowed to respond to the European Union's counter-tariffs, escalating tensions over the U.S. steel and aluminum duties that have sparked a trade dispute between the two economic powers.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally heading back to Earth after spending nine unexpected months aboard the ISS due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner. Their long-awaited return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon caps a mission filled with delays, challenges, and global attention.
A tragic plane crash off the coast of Honduras has claimed seven lives after the aircraft plunged into the sea moments after departing Roatán Island. Authorities say several passengers may still be trapped inside.
EU ministers vowed on Monday to explore ways to save Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) after U.S. President Donald Trump cut its funding, but warned that replacing U.S. support would not be easy.
A U.S. spy drone withdrew from near Iranian airspace after being intercepted by Iranian F-14 fighter jets and reconnaissance drones, Iran’s Nournews reported on Monday, citing the country's Army Air Force.
Germany’s constitutional court has rejected last-minute legal challenges to a €500 billion ($546 billion) infrastructure fund proposed by conservative leader Friedrich Merz.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally heading back to Earth after spending nine unexpected months aboard the ISS due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner. Their long-awaited return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon caps a mission filled with delays, challenges, and global attention.
Tensions rise along the Lebanon-Syria border after the abduction and killing of Syrian security forces. Syria accuses Hezbollah of orchestrating the attack, while the group denies involvement. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation are underway.
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on Gaza, following the collapse of negotiations to extend a ceasefire. The strikes have resulted in significant casualties, while efforts to resume peace talks remain stalled.
A tragic plane crash off the coast of Honduras has claimed seven lives after the aircraft plunged into the sea moments after departing Roatán Island. Authorities say several passengers may still be trapped inside.
EU ministers vowed on Monday to explore ways to save Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) after U.S. President Donald Trump cut its funding, but warned that replacing U.S. support would not be easy.
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