Russia proposes extending the mechanism for entering aid into Syria for only 6 months
On Thursday, Russia submitted to the UN Security Council a draft resolution to extend the mechanism for the entry of humanitarian aid through Bab al-Hawa border crossing for a period of 6 months.
According to informed sources, Russia submitted this to the members of the Security Council, to be voted on today, Friday.
The Russian proposal was submitted after Ireland and Norway formally submitted a proposal calling for a one-year extension of the deadline, also paving the way for a vote on Friday.
This is the first time Russia has proposed an extension to entering aid to Syria across the border. Last year, it reversed twice sending such aid from more than one crossing, leaving only the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey.
The current aid entry mechanism through Bab al-Hawa ends tomorrow, pending the decision of the UN Security Council today.
Today, Friday, the Security Council is expected to hold a special session to resolve the issue of extending the aid mechanism.
The Council’s decisions require the approval of at least 9 of its members, provided that none of the five permanent members, namely Russia, China, the United States, France and Britain, object to it.
In July 2014, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution allowing humanitarian aid to cross into Syria from four border points (Bab al-Salama and Bab al-Hawa with Turkey, al-Yarubiyah with Iraq, and al-Ramtha with Jordan).
Early last year, the Security Council reduced the number of these crossings to the Bab al-Hawa crossing, under pressure from Russia and China.
