Qatar has time and again reiterated its support for the Syrian Arab Republic to help achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people for security, stability and development.
On the directives of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, a team from the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) has been sent to Syria.
The team has been dispatched to take part in firefighting operations in areas of the Latakia countryside on the Syrian coast, besides providing humanitarian aid to help mitigate the effects and repercussions of these fires.
Syria is currently grappling with devastating wildfires.
Since early July, massive fires have swept across the northwestern coastal region of Latakia, spreading rapidly through steep, forested terrain and scorching over 15,000 hectares of land.
The blazes have transformed once lush landscapes into charred moonscapes and have displaced hundreds of families from villages.
Since the crisis erupted in Syria in March 2011, the government and people of Qatar have been keen to support the Syrian people.
Qatar offered relief aid to refugees and internally displaced people. Since then, the total amount of Qatari aid for the Syrian people has surpassed $2bn.
At the 3rd International Pledging Conference for Syria in Kuwait in 2015, Qatar launched an initiative to establish a fund for vocational education and training for Syrians, and pledged an amount of $100m.
Besides, Doha hosted the 10th meeting of the major donors group for Syria in 2024.
The country’s assistance for the Syria includes the supply of natural gas for electricity generation.
Besides, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have settled Syria’s arrears to the World Bank amounting to approximately $15m.
The step will contribute to resumption of World Bank programmes in Syria.
The bank is now preparing its first project in Syria, which will focus on improving electricity access — a key pillar for revitalising essential services like healthcare, education, and water supply.
It is the beginning of expanded support aimed at stabilising Syria and boosting long-term growth.
Syria, during its participation in the 109th session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, thanked Qatar for its sponsorship of Syria’s interests at the organisation.
Syria said Qatar’s support reflected the country’s commitment to supporting its stability and active return to international forums.
Ibrahim Al Alabi, who serves as adviser to the Syrian Foreign Minister and Commissioner for the Chemical Weapons, emphasised in his speech the importance of progress made on the ground as well as plans to launch internationally-led working groups under Syrian leadership to address the legacy of chemical weapons.
