Foreign-backed opposition asks Saudis for more aid in Syria

Syria’s foreign-backed opposition has asked Saudi Arabia to increase its support for militants fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

The head of the so-called Syrian National Coalition, Ahmad Jabra, made the request during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz and Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal.

“The talks focused on continuing the Saudi aid and on the need to strengthen the capacities of the [so-called] Free Syrian Army (FSA),” Jabra’s advisor, Monser Akbik, said.

Saudi Arabia has been one of the main supporters of the militants operating in Syria since March 2011.

The request by Jabra comes at a time that foreign-backed militants are under increasing pressure as the Syrian army has been making gains over the past few months.

Thousands of militants have been also killed as a result of infighting among different groups. The al-Qaeda-affiliated group al-Nusra Front has often clashed with the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

During the meeting in Saudi Arabia, Jabra also voiced concern over the recent announcement of Syria’s presidential election expected to be held in June, saying it “closed the door to any political solution.”

The foreign-backed Syrian opposition initially slammed the voting process after it was announced on April 21, calling it a “farce.” The United Nations and the Arab League also criticized the announcement.

In response, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said the issue was a Syrian decision and Damascus would not allow foreign intervention.

Over 150,000 people have reportedly lost their lives and millions of others have been displaced as a result of foreign-backed militancy.

Reports show that the Western powers and their regional allies — especially Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey — are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.