UN Aid Reaches Rebel-Held Areas in Syria for the First Time Since Earthquake
For the first time since a devastating earthquake hit Syria in February, United Nations aid has reached rebel-held areas in the country. The aid was delivered via a 10-truck convoy that traveled from regime-controlled northwest Syria to Al-Nayrab in Idlib province. The last such convoy was in January, according to a humanitarian official in Idlib who requested anonymity. The trucks were covered with banners bearing the name and logo of the UN World Food Programme.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed on Twitter that the “cross-line convoy is underway, carrying UN humanitarian supplies” to northwest Syria. The aid will be stored near the Turkish border. The earthquake that struck in February devastated parts of Syria and Turkey, including areas of the war-torn country’s Idlib region that are controlled by jihadist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS).
Around three million people, most of whom have been displaced by Syria’s war, live in HTS-controlled parts of the Idlib region. On February 10, President Bashar Assad’s regime said it had approved the delivery of humanitarian aid directly from government-held territory to rebel areas. However, HTS head Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani refused assistance through such a route.
The UN largely delivers relief to Syria’s northwest via neighboring Turkey through the Bab Al-Hawa crossing, which is the only way for aid to enter without Damascus’s involvement. The number of UN-approved crossings has shrunk from four in 2014 after years of pressure from regime allies China and Russia at the UN Security Council.
The UN chief said on February 13 that Assad had agreed to open the Bab Al-Salama and Al-Rai crossings from Turkey to allow aid to enter rebel-held areas for an initial period of three months. In May, Syria extended access for those two crossings, which are operated by Turkish-backed rebels, for another three months, according to OCHA.
Syria’s war has killed more than half a million people and displaced millions since erupting in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests. Despite periodic exchanges of deadly fire, including in recent days, a cease-fire deal brokered by Moscow and Ankara has largely held in the northwest since March 2020.
Heading 1: UN Aid Reaches Rebel-Held Areas in Syria for the First Time Since Earthquake
Heading 2: The Delivery of Aid to Rebel-Held Areas
The delivery of aid to rebel-held areas in Syria has been a contentious issue for years. The UN largely delivers relief to Syria’s northwest via neighboring Turkey through the Bab Al-Hawa crossing, which is the only way for aid to enter without Damascus’s involvement. The number of UN-approved crossings has shrunk from four in 2014 after years of pressure from regime allies China and Russia at the UN Security Council.
Heading 2: The Devastating Earthquake in Syria
In February, a devastating earthquake hit Syria and Turkey, causing widespread damage and loss of life. The earthquake devastated parts of Syria’s Idlib region that are controlled by jihadist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS). Around three million people, most of whom have been displaced by Syria’s war, live in HTS-controlled parts of the Idlib region.
Heading 2: Assad’s Approval of Aid Delivery
On February 10, President Bashar Assad’s regime said it had approved the delivery of humanitarian aid directly from government-held territory to rebel areas. However, HTS head Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani refused assistance through such a route. The UN chief said on February 13 that Assad had agreed to open the Bab Al-Salama and Al-Rai crossings from Turkey to allow aid to enter rebel-held areas for an initial period of three months.
Heading 2: UN Aid Convoy Reaches Rebel-Held Areas
For the first time since the earthquake in February, United Nations aid has reached rebel-held areas in Syria. The aid was delivered via a 10-truck convoy that traveled from regime-controlled northwest Syria to Al-Nayrab in Idlib province. The last such convoy was in January, according to a humanitarian official in Idlib who requested anonymity.
Heading 2: Syria’s Ongoing Conflict
Syria’s war has killed more than half a million people and displaced millions since erupting in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests. Despite periodic exchanges of deadly fire, including in recent days, a cease-fire deal brokered by Moscow and Ankara has largely held in the northwest since March 2020.
Heading 2: Conclusion
The delivery of aid to rebel-held areas in Syria has been a contentious issue for years, but the recent UN aid convoy reaching Al-Nayrab in Idlib province is a positive step forward. The ongoing conflict in Syria has caused immense suffering for millions of people, and it is crucial that aid reaches those who need it most.