UN ready to resume operations to NW Syria – UN
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Wednesday the UN is ready to resume operations to northwest Syria as soon as possible but it will take some time to get trucks moving.
The agreement the UN reached with Syria to reopen the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey to rebel-held areas in the northwest for six months “safeguards” the independence of UN operations, the UN said.
On July 10, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council compromise resolution that would have extended aid deliveries through the Bab al-Hawa crossing, for nine months, putting the lives of over 4 million people at risk.
On August 8, the Syrian government and the UN agreed to reopen the Bab al-Hawa crossing, which had been used for 85% of deliveries to the northwest Syria.
Haq said that UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the understanding on Bab al-Hawa and Syria’s extension of authorization to use Bab al-Salameh and al-Rai for three months.
On August 8, the Syrian government allowed the UN to bring humanitarian aid from Turkey via two border crossings to areas under the control of Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka Syrian National Army (SNA), in northwest Syria for three months.
UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths had been engaging with the Syrian government and other parties “to reconcile differences” and ensure the UN’s independence and humanitarian engagement with all parties, Haq added.