US suspends financing for Syria stabilisation projects

The US said today it is suspending USD 230 million budgeted for stabilisation projects in Syria, citing the aid pledged by other partners in the coalition fighting the Islamic State group.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has "redirected" the funds originally set aside to help the recovery of areas liberated from IS control after coalition partners committed USD 300 million of their own, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

The decision was made based on the additional pledges and "the already significant military and financial contributions made by the United States to date," Nauert said.

She also cited President Donald Trump's call for allies and partners in Syria to "increase burden-sharing." "This decision does not represent any lessening of US commitment to our strategic goals in Syria," Nauert said.

"The president has made clear that we are prepared to remain in Syria until the enduring defeat of ISIS, and we remain focused on ensuring the withdrawal of Iranian forces and their proxies.