Russia submits a rival proposal to America regarding humanitarian aid delivery into Syria
Russia submitted on Friday evening a proposal for a six-month extension of U.N. Security Council approval for aid delivery to northwestern Syria through Turkey, sparking a long-range battle with the UN and others who want a 12-month extension.
The approval of the 15-member council must be obtained because Bashar al-Assad did not approve on the UN operation, which has been providing assistances, including food, medicine and shelter to millions of people in areas not controlled by him.
The 6-month mandate expires next Monday on July 10. Russia, which is the ally to the Assad regime, has long claimed the need for the operation, describing it as a violating to Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia also demanded that humanitarian assistance to be delivered through Assad regime-controlled areas.
The Security Council had already been negotiating a text drafted by Switzerland and Brazil that would allow the UN operation to continue using the Bab al-Hawa crossing for 12 months. Russia also submitted a rival proposal to the United States suggesting six-month extension.
The council is scheduled to vote on the text of the Swiss-Brazilian draft and the Russian draft on Monday, according to “Reuters” News Agency.
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, said last week: “A 12-month mandate allows us and our partners to achieve better humanitarian results in the months ahead. The matter is very simple”. Griffiths added that “$5.4 billion U.N. aid appeal for Syria for 2023 is the largest in the world, but it was less than 12% funded.”
