Saudi Arabia gives $100mn for NE Syria projects in former ISIS areas – Riyadh

Saudi Arabia said on Friday that it has contributed $100 million to northeast Syria for “stabilization projects” in areas once held by Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) group and now controlled by US-backed forces. The money “will save lives, help facilitate the return of displaced Syrians and help ensure that IS cannot re-emerge to threaten Syria, its neighbors, or plan attacks against the international community,” according to the Saudi embassy in Washington. The money will go toward agriculture, education, roadworks, rubble removal and water services for the region, which is now largely held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, AP reported.