Qatar to finance public sector wages for Syria's new government

Qatar to finance public sector wages for Syrias new Islamist government — A Qateri men. Illustrative photo: Creative Commons/Halid Elosman/pexels

DOHA,— Qatar is reportedly planning to provide financial support to Syria’s new Islamist government, which is set to significantly increase public sector wages following its takeover of Damascus last month, according to U.S. officials and diplomatic sources, Reuters reported.

This assistance is considered vital to the success of Syria’s new rulers, which ousted President Bashar al-Assad in early December.

The funding plan comes after the United States issued a temporary sanctions exemption on Monday, allowing transactions with Syria’s governing bodies for a six-month period. This exemption was seen as a critical step for Qatar, which has been pushing for such a measure to offer financial aid to Syria in a more official capacity.

An Arab official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that discussions are ongoing between Qatar and other regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, to determine the level of funding.

The talks are not yet finalized, but the official confirmed that Qatar is aiming to provide significant financial aid for public sector salaries, which could include contributions from Saudi Arabia as well.

A senior Saudi official confirmed the kingdom’s commitment to supporting Syria but emphasized that their aid efforts are focused on humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter, and medical supplies.

Syria’s new Islamist groups, led by the Salafi rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), took control of the capital on December 8, 2024, after a rapid military campaign. HTS has promised a substantial increase in public sector salaries, aiming for a 400% raise.

According to Syria’s finance minister, the total cost of the wage hike for over 1.25 million public sector employees will amount to approximately $120 million per month.

Despite the uncertainty over international funding, sources within Syria’s finance ministry noted that pledges of support had been made from various nations.

HTS, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, a group that was once designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, has distanced itself from Al-Qaeda and now seeks to portray itself as a more moderate force. Despite this, the group’s history remains a point of contention, particularly among Western governments.

In a broader diplomatic effort, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani embarked on an official tour to meet with regional leaders in Riyadh, UAE, Qatar, and Jordan, signaling an intent to foster relations with the wider Arab world.

Qatar has moved quickly to engage with the new Syrian Islamist rulers, reopening its embassy in Damascus and resuming regular flights between Doha and Syria’s capital on Qatar Airways.

The small Gulf nation, which severed ties with Assad’s government in 2011, has played a significant diplomatic role in recent years, particularly in the context of the Syrian conflict.

Qatar’s financial support for Salafi Islamist groups like Hamas and its historic ties to Islamist extremists, including the Muslim Brotherhood, have raised concerns. The U.S. has criticized Qatar for its funding of terrorism in the past, including a 2017 statement by then-President Donald Trump condemning the country’s role in supporting extremist groups.

Qatar’s involvement in financing armed groups has extended to regions like Syria and Libya, where it has been accused of providing weaponry and funding to militant factions. Al Jazeera, the Qatari state-owned media outlet, has also faced scrutiny for broadcasting extremist views, including calls for violence against Western nations.

Since 2017, Qatar has faced a blockade from several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt—who accuse it of destabilizing the region through its alleged support for terrorism and its growing relationship with Iran. The embargo was lifted in January 2021, although tensions over Qatar’s regional policies remain high.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)