U.S. Congress lawmakers approved three additional provisions in the U.S. State Department budget regarding Syria. Muhammad Alaa Ghanem, the policy officer for the American Coalition for Syria, stated on the “X” platform that the first provision ensures a grant of $15 million to the Syrian Civil Defense Organization, also known as the “White Helmets,” after the Biden administration announced its intention to cut the defense budget, as part of a series of reductions for several international humanitarian programs.
Ghanem added that the second provision includes designating northwestern Syria as a “disaster area” eligible for special funding under the name “Stabilization,” which involves rehabilitating schools and universities, paying teachers’ salaries, building roads, constructing bridges, and repairing infrastructure.
Ghanem continued by noting that northwestern Syria had been “deliberately deprived of this funding for many years,” explaining that the U.S. government “restricts this type of funding to areas where its forces are present in northeastern Syria and only sends relief aid to northwestern Syria despite the region’s needs.”
In a separate tweet, Ghanem pointed out that the U.S. House of Representatives completed voting on the third provision, which prohibits any funding provided by the U.S. government in Syria from reaching Bashar al-Assad and entities associated with him, even indirectly.
The provision was approved by lawmakers. He added that the measure does not prohibit providing support to Syria but addresses the issue of part of the aid given by the U.S. government to Syria through the United Nations and other international organizations reaching the regime and companies associated with it under the pretext that these organizations are forced to deal with the regime.
The Syrian conflict, ongoing since 2011, has led to significant humanitarian crises and geopolitical complexities. Various international actors, including the United States, have been involved in providing aid and support to different factions and regions within Syria.
The Syrian Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets, is a volunteer organization that operates in parts of rebel-controlled Syria and Turkey. They have been involved in rescue operations and providing essential services in war-torn areas. Despite their crucial role, funding has been a challenge, especially with budget cuts affecting international humanitarian programs.
Northwestern Syria, predominantly under opposition control, has faced severe humanitarian issues, compounded by limited access to international aid and resources. The U.S. has primarily focused its funding on northeastern Syria, where American forces are present, leaving northwestern regions with less comprehensive support.
The prohibition of U.S. aid reaching the Assad regime is part of broader sanctions and measures aimed at isolating the Syrian government and preventing resources from bolstering the regime’s power. This move reflects ongoing international efforts to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need without empowering entities associated with the conflict’s prolongation.
