The Trump administration is expected to end stabilization funding for Syria as part of the president’s desire to withdraw the U.S. from the war-torn country, a move that comes one day after Saudi government officials pledged $100 million in aid to anti-Islamic State coalition efforts in Syria.
Administration officials informed Congress of the move early Friday, and let lawmakers know the $200 million that had been set aside for stabilization programs in Syria would be redirected to address other needs, the Associated Press reported. The decision follows a review of the funding that began shortly after former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired in March.
State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement Thursday that several “coalition partners have made pledges and contributions in recent months” to bolster U.S.-led efforts to counter the Islamic State terror group in Syria.
“This substantial contribution will play a critical role in the Coalition’s efforts to revitalize communities, such as Raqqa, that have been devastated by ISIS terrorists,” the Saudi embassy in Washington said in Thursday. That statement said the funds will be used to “restore livelihoods and essential services in the areas of health, agriculture, electricity, water, education, transportation, and rubble removal.”
The outside funding from Saudi Arabia and other allies is the primary reason President Trump decided to pull the additional $200 million U.S. forces had planned to spend in Syria, sources told the AP.
Trump has previously said he wants the U.S. entirely out of Syria. His administration told the Wall Street Journal earlier this year that it was considering training and assembling an Arab force that could replace U.S. troops in the country and help stabilize the region once the Islamic State is defeated. In April, the president directed the Pentagon to begin withdrawing the 2,000 American troops currently stationed in Syria.
“We are not going to put an arbitrary guideline. [Trump] is measuring it in actually winning the battle, not just putting some random number out there,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said at the time, noting there was no firm departure deadline for U.S. forces.
