ANKARA/BEIRUT: Turkey has urged the United Nations and other stakeholders to extend aid deliveries into northwest Syria, citing a shift in global interest and funding priorities towards other conflicts, two Turkish sources familiar with the negotiations who spoke to Reuters.
Since 2014, Turkey has been a central hub for aid delivery into northwest Syria. This aid has primarily flowed through the Bab al-Hawa (Cilvegozu) crossing, authorized by the UN Security Council.
The Assad government unilaterally extended this authorization until January 13 after the Security Council failed to reach an agreement last year.
Syria’s Post-Earthquake Aid Permissions Face Expiry
Following a February 2023 earthquake that claimed more than 50,000 lives in Turkey and Syria, Syria granted additional permission for aid deliveries from the Bab al-Salam and Al Ra’ee crossings, set to expire on Feb. 13.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources emphasized the importance of extending authorizations, particularly for Bab al-Hawa, to facilitate planning for long-term humanitarian and development projects in the region. One source noted that setting deadlines introduces “constant pressure and unpredictability.”
The sources revealed that discussions are ongoing, and the UN is exploring the possibility of an indefinite extension without a specific time limit, in collaboration with the Syrian regime. If an extension agreement is not reached with Damascus, the Security Council may consider adopting a binding resolution.
