UN ends cross-border aid route from Turkey into Syria after 11 years
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The United Nations on Monday ended its cross-border humanitarian aid operations from Turkey into Syria, concluding an 11-year mission described as one of the most complex supply chains in the organization’s history.
The decision follows the reopening of border crossings to commercial traffic and improved access through regular supply routes, allowing humanitarian assistance to reach those in need via standard trade channels.
The aid mechanism was established in July 2014 after the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2165, which authorized cross-border aid deliveries without requiring prior approval from the Syrian government.
Originally designed as an emergency measure to bypass damaged infrastructure and shifting security conditions, the operation became a critical lifeline for millions of Syrians over the past decade.
Between August 2014 and the route’s closure, 58,955 aid trucks crossed from Turkey into Syria. An additional 6,124 trucks entered under consent-based agreements with Syrian authorities, bringing the total number of humanitarian journeys to more than 65,000.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric announced the conclusion of the mission during his daily press briefing on Monday.
“More than a decade after it began, the United Nations has now concluded its cross-border humanitarian operations from Türkiye into Syria, following the reopening of border crossings to commercial traffic and improved access via regular supply routes,” Dujarric said.
He emphasized the logistical scale of the operation, noting that it required coordination across multiple borders and authorities while operating in unstable security environments.
Throughout the mission, UN inspection teams conducted independent verification to ensure transparency and compliance. According to the UN, the operation delivered critical assistance to an average of 1.25 million people annually.
“During these years, we successfully moved more than 65,000 trucks of critical aid across borders to support an average of 1.25 million human beings each year,” Dujarric added.
The UN humanitarian coordination office, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, described the closure as a forward-looking transition built on partnership, accountability, and impact.
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said the new model builds on years of progress in the region, ensuring aid delivery adapts alongside improved commercial supply stability.
Dujarric also recalled the impact of the February 2023 earthquake that struck the border region, further complicating aid delivery during the operation’s later years.