UN extends cross-border relief operation for Syria

Kurds and human rights groups criticise the council for allowing Russia to let aid only through a single crossing, with a six-month conditional extension

UNITED NATIONS

The UN Security Council (UNSC) voted unanimously on Friday to extend the delivery of humanitarian aid from Turkey to rebel-held northwest Syria for six months with another six months virtually guaranteed after a US-Russia deal, an agreement the UN said will provide life-saving aid to over 3.4 million people in desperate need of food and other assistance.

Russia’ UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called the vote “a historic moment” saying Moscow expects it to become “a turning point” for Syria, the Middle East, the world and hopes “that it might be a turning point that is indeed in line with what Putin and Biden discussed in Geneva.”

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield responded calling it “an important moment in our relationship” that shows what can be achieved “if we work with them diplomatically on common goals.”

The key issue during final negotiations had been whether the council should authorise deliveries through the Bab Al Hawa crossing to northwest Idlib for another year, which the West, UN and humanitarian groups said was critical or for six months as Russia, Syria’s closest ally, had insisted on.