Obama announced fresh humanitarian aid to Syria

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced an additional 195 million dollars in humanitarian assistance to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria.

The announcement came on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, or Feast of Breaking the Fast, an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a month of fasting.

The new U.S. aid covered food and medical supplies in Syria as well as food vouchers and ready-to-eat meals for some 245,000 refugees sheltered in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt, the State Department said in a statement.

The fresh amount brought to a total of more than 1 billion dollars in U.S. humanitarian aid to Syria since the country was plunged into conflict in March 2011.

Obama authorized direct supply of light arms and ammunition to the Syrian rebels in June, as his administration has sought to oust President Bashar al-Assad.

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