Baladi News
The British government has cancelled cash transfers to humanitarian organisations in the northeast of Syria, for fear that money meant to help refugees could end up in the hands of Islamic State (ISIS).
Although the international coalition declared Daesh defeated last month, remaining militants scattered across the east of the country have continued a low-level insurgency, claiming the lives of several US-backed fighters in guerrilla style attacks.
The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) said the decision was a precaution, adding that it was not aware of any money actually being diverted towards remaining militants.
“We have suspended the use of UK aid through cash transfers in northeast Syria following the territorial defeat of Daesh,” a spokesperson for DFID told the National. “This is a precautionary measure due to the risks associated with the dispersal of Daesh members. UK aid will still give food, shelter and healthcare to those people in Syria in desperate need.”
A group of 58 international NGOs said they were “extremely shocked” at the decision, criticising it as a “hasty reactionary stance” that was “impossible to justify”.
Source: MEMO