S.arabia contributes $100 million to anti-daesh global fight

RIYADH: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in its continued commitment to serve as stabilising force in the region, has contributed $100 million for Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh-supported stabilisation projects in areas liberated from Daesh in northeast Syria, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday.

According to SPA, this is the largest Coalition contribution to date for these liberated areas, and follows the pledge made by Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir during the July 12, 2018 Global Coalition Ministerial Conference in Brussels, hosted by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

This substantial contribution will play a critical role in the Coalition’s efforts to revitalise communities, such as Raqqa, that have been devastated by the Daesh terrorists.

The funds will focus on projects to restore livelihoods and essential services in the areas of health, agriculture, electricity, water, education, transportation (key roads and bridges), and rubble removal.

Consistent with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s contributions to date, this additional $100 million will save lives, help facilitate the return of displaced Syrians, and help ensure that Daesh cannot reemerge to threaten Syria, its neighbours, or plan attacks against the international community.

This contribution is a continuum of the Kingdom’s efforts in this Coalition, including, but not limited to, co-leading the Counter Finance Working Group and serving as a key member of the Communications and Stabilisation Working Groups, as well as, flying the second highest number of missions in Syria after the United States.