As Quake Death Toll Rises, Arab Leaders Offer Condolences to Syria’s Assad

Arab World

February 8th, 8:41am

Damascus – Asharq Al-Awsat

Russian and Syrian soldiers inspect an earthquake-damaged building in Aleppo, northern Syria. (AP)

The death toll from Monday’s devastating earthquakes climbed to 812 in the Syrian governorates of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Idlib Countryside and Tartous, according to the Syrian Health Ministry. At least 1,449 people have also been injured in the quake. Figures released by the ministry are not final as they don’t include victims residing outside regime-controlled areas. Condolences have poured in and dozens of nations have offered aid since the pre-dawn earthquake that wiped out entire sections of cities in both Türkiye and Syria. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called Syria’s Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday to offer support after the devastating earthquake. Ahmed Fahmy, spokesman for the Egyptian presidency, said Sisi “expressed his sincere condolences” in the wake of the 7.8-magnitude quake that hit Syria and neighboring Türkiye early Monday. “President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s solidarity with Syria and its brotherly people in this calamity. He also directed that all possible aid be provided to Syria,” Fahmy said. Syrian state news agency SANA said that “President Assad thanked Egypt for this position, which reflects the fraternal relations that bind the two brotherly countries.” Assad on Tuesday also received a phone call from Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik bin Taimur al Said. During the phone call, the Sultan conveyed the people of Oman’s solidarity with the brotherly people of Syria in the wake of the destructive earthquake. “The Sultanate will stand with Syria in everything necessary to overcome this ordeal, and will send urgent aid to support the Syrian government’s efforts to overcome the effects of this disaster and provide relief to those affected by it,” said Sultan Haitham. Moreover, Assad received a phone call from the King of Bahrain. During the phone call, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa emphasized Bahrain’s solidarity and standing by Syria and its people in this difficult situation. Assad received similar phone calls from leaders in Algeria and Iran.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4145296/quake-death-toll-rises-arab-leaders-offer-condolences-syria%E2%80%99s-assad