UNITED NATIONS: Syria has extended by another 3 months border crossings from Turkiye into rebel-held parts of the country that had been reopened following a devastating earthquake in February, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
It is the second 3-month extension by the Syrian government of use by UN humanitarian workers to the Al-Rai and Bab al-Salam crossings, which opened after the earthquake following international pressure.
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ spokesperson said that the United Nations welcome the extension of permission by Syria to utilize the Al Rai and Bab al-Salam border crossings until 13 November 13.
Earthquake in Syria, Turkiye
The 6 February earthquake in Turkiye and war-hit Syria killed over 55,000 people and left thousands in border parts even more reliant on international aid.
The latest measure stands in contrast to the failure to extend a separate important aid route into Syria — the Bab al-Hawa crossing from Turkiye.
Russia, in July, vetoed a 9-month extension and then failed to muster enough votes to adopt a 6-month extension. Syria said it would still temporarily permit the use of the crossing, but the UN criticized the conditions as unacceptable.
