Mar 11, 2019

The Donald Trump administration is seeking to eliminate economic and security aid to opposition-held Syria even as the United States gears up to significantly reduce its troop presence in the war-torn country.

The State Department budget request for fiscal year 2020 released today proposes zeroing out economic support funds for Syria as well as assistance under the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism and Demining program. Last year, the Trump administration had asked for $130 million in economic aid for Syria and another $44.5 million under the nonproliferation and anti-terrorism program.

Overall the budget blueprint seeks to cut funding for the State Department and the US Agency for International Development by 23%. But the government insists its goals in Syria haven't changed.

“We are committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS [the Islamic State] and al-Qaida, a political solution to the Syrian conflict in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, and the removal of all Iranian-led forces in Syria,” a State Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “As we continue to review administration priorities in Syria to ensure assistance is best aligned with US objectives, we may utilize funding from the Relief and Recovery Fund in a manner consistent with how it was appropriated in FY 2018.”

The proposed cut comes after the Trump administration reprogrammed $230 million in stabilization aid last year after securing some $300 million in pledges from Gulf and European states to backfill the void in US assistance. Saudi Arabia promised $100 million while the United Arab Emirates pledged $50 million.