Russia Takes A Hard Stand To Stop Aid For Syria
Under Russian pressure, the United Nations has withdrawn humanitarian support to Syria for a complete year.
Backed by China, Russia had vetoed a proposal sent to all nations on December 20. The proposal was to extend aid for a year from three border spots: two along the border with Turkey and the Iraqi one. From the initial access of four points, now the aid will be transferred through two points along the border with Turkey only and that also a span of six months.
To salvage the seeming damage, the United Nations council will be asking Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to compile a report by the end of February on finding an alternative to the aid point on the Iraqi border, which is the town of Al Yarubiyah. This has been done on the insistence of Germany and Belgium, who are not happy with Russia’s reaction.
Russia is holding its stand on the premise that international authorization of cross-border aid shipments is nothing but encouraging “breach of sovereignty”. Russia is a key backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
It is estimated that approximately 11 million Syrians remain in need of aid. Some 3 million have already been displaced and have found refuge in Turkey.
The United States Minister of State Mike Pompeo has termed Russian and Chinese behavior as shameful and said: “you now have blood on your hands.
”On the flip side, Russia has taken a strong stand over the humanitarian aids due to the fact that Turkey had been crying foul over lack of aid in the first place. Also, most nations have refused to take back their own people who might be holding dual citizenship, putting immense pressure on the country’s meager resources. Turkey has been asking the UN and NATO nations to up their aid in order Erdogan can take care of the Syrian refugee situation. However, the aid delivered has been less than what was promised.
With Damascus having largely retaken control of territory inside Syria a year ago, Moscow has reiterated that it was in a “strong position” for the face-off with western countries.
Since 2014, under the guidance of the UN Council, humanitarian aid
had been flowing into Syria through UN-designated checkpoints in Turkey and Iraq without the formal permission of the regime in Damascus, but that authority expired on January 10, making it possible for Russia to stand up and demand a rollback
Backed by China, Russia had vetoed a proposal sent to all nations on December 20. The proposal was to extend aid for a year from three border spots: two along the border with Turkey and the Iraqi one. From the initial access of four points, now the aid will be transferred through two points along the border with Turkey only and that also a span of six months.
To salvage the seeming damage, the United Nations council will be asking Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to compile a report by the end of February on finding an alternative to the aid point on the Iraqi border, which is the town of Al Yarubiyah. This has been done on the insistence of Germany and Belgium, who are not happy with Russia’s reaction.
Russia is holding its stand on the premise that international authorization of cross-border aid shipments is nothing but encouraging “breach of sovereignty”. Russia is a key backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
It is estimated that approximately 11 million Syrians remain in need of aid. Some 3 million have already been displaced and have found refuge in Turkey.
The United States Minister of State Mike Pompeo has termed Russian and Chinese behavior as shameful and said: “you now have blood on your hands.
”On the flip side, Russia has taken a strong stand over the humanitarian aids due to the fact that Turkey had been crying foul over lack of aid in the first place. Also, most nations have refused to take back their own people who might be holding dual citizenship, putting immense pressure on the country’s meager resources. Turkey has been asking the UN and NATO nations to up their aid in order Erdogan can take care of the Syrian refugee situation. However, the aid delivered has been less than what was promised.
With Damascus having largely retaken control of territory inside Syria a year ago, Moscow has reiterated that it was in a “strong position” for the face-off with western countries.
Since 2014, under the guidance of the UN Council, humanitarian aid
had been flowing into Syria through UN-designated checkpoints in Turkey and Iraq without the formal permission of the regime in Damascus, but that authority expired on January 10, making it possible for Russia to stand up and demand a rollback
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