British PM pledges stronger role in Middle East stability, announces aid for Syria

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to step up the country's engagement in the Middle East to support long-term stability.

Starmer made the remarks during his visit to Saudi Arabia on December 9, Caliber.Az reports via foreign news sources.

"The stability of the Middle East is paramount to delivering a foundation of security at home," Starmer said.

The Prime Minister said the UK will play a more present and consistent role in the region, and work with partners to increase defence cooperation to strengthen deterrence of threats across land, sea, space, air and cyber

Starmer also set out an additional 11 million pounds ($14.07 million) of humanitarian aid for Syria, where rebel forces have seized the capital of Damascus and President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia. These funds will be transferred to the UN and non-governmental organizations. They will be used in particular to support 370,000 people who are estimated to have fled their homes as a result of recent events in Syria.

He has also agreed to bolster the existing defence partnership between Britain and Saudi Arabia and promote greater defence industrial cooperation.

For the record, in just 10 days, hundreds of civilians in Syria have been killed or injured, and 178,000 people have been displaced, leaving families in desperate need of basic assistance. Humanitarian operations are severely restricted due to ongoing insecurity, compounding 14 years of relentless conflict and chronic funding shortages, which have left 16.7 million Syrians—almost 70% of the population—requiring aid. Across the region, a further 12.9 million Syrians and the communities hosting them also rely on humanitarian support.  

The situation is particularly dire in northwest Syria, where more than 280,000 people have fled escalating violence, many seeking refuge in overcrowded camps. Food scarcity is worsening, with bakeries and markets struggling to operate, and public services in cities such as Aleppo—including hospitals, power stations, and water supplies—are either disrupted or completely shut down due to staff and resource shortages. With winter rapidly approaching, millions of people are at risk of facing severe conditions without adequate shelter, food, or basic services, highlighting the urgent need for increased humanitarian assistance.

By Khagan Isayev