Moscow has prepared a new draft resolution on extending the operation of one checkpoint on the Turkish-Syrian border to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria, according to a comment from Russia's First Deputy UN Representative Dmitry Polyansky on Twitter.
Currently, two border crossings on the border with Turkey — Bab al-Hawa and Bab es Salam - are used for the delivery of humanitarian aid. Their mandate expires on July 10, so the Security Council must adopt a resolution for their further work. However, there was disagreement on this point.
This week, Russia and China vetoed a resolution by Germany and Belgium proposing to extend both checkpoints for a year.
After that, Moscow submitted a document to extend the work of Bab-El-Hawa only, and for six months, not a year. However, it did not get the necessary nine votes out of 15 — only four states voted for it.
Next, Belgium and Germany introduced a new draft on two border crossings, but for six months, not for a year, unlike their first version.
As follows from Polyansky's comment, Russia has also prepared a new resolution-on the work of one checkpoint, but within a year.
According to him, more than 85% of all humanitarian operations pass through this crossing.
As the diplomat noted, the remaining share of humanitarian operations can be redirected through this checkpoint and the front line, taking into account the changes "on the ground", in particular, the reduction of the de-escalation zone by 30%.
"We reject the accusations of some of our colleagues in the UN Security Council who accuse Russia of depriving millions of people in northwestern Syria of UN humanitarian assistance. If our draft resolution is adopted, the flow of humanitarian aid will not stop, " Polyansky wrote.
Russia urges UN humanitarian agencies and NGOs to give priority to using the delivery mechanism across the front line, while continuing to use the Bab al-Hawa border crossing to help those in need in Idlib.
"Recognizing the need to use a cross-border mechanism, we emphasize the need for all parties, both the UN and the government of Syria, to make < ... > efforts to expand the use of operations to deliver humanitarian aid across the front line in all parts of Syria in accordance with resolution 46/182," the commentary said.
The Deputy Representative called on the Western partners in the Security Council to support the Russian draft resolution. "If they block our compromise proposal, they will be responsible for the consequences," Polyansky concluded.
Delivery of humanitarian aid
The regime of simplified delivery of humanitarian and medical supplies to Syria from neighboring states (primarily through the border with Turkey) through front lines and border crossings has been in effect since July 2014 and has been extended annually.
It allowed UN humanitarian agencies and their partners to use routes through the lines of confrontation and four border checkpoints: Bab es Salam, Bab al-Hawa (both on the border of Syria and Turkey), al-Yarubiya (the border with Iraq) and ar-Ramtha (the border with Jordan).
As the Syrian army began to establish control over more and more territory, Damascus and Moscow began to advocate a gradual curtailment of border crossings. As stated by the Russian and Syrian sides, humanitarian aid should now be delivered to areas through the territory of Syria, and not from neighboring states.
In January, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of only two checkpoints on the border with Turkey, but this does not suit Western partners.
Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, said that the mechanism for cross-border delivery of humanitarian aid was intended as an emergency temporary measure. Now, he said, it is time to replace it with humanitarian supplies, which will be carried out in accordance with the principles outlined in UN General Assembly resolution 46/182 on state sovereignty.
The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed regret that there was no progress on sending a humanitarian convoy to Idlib, as the West insists on delivering aid via cross-border deliveries from Turkey.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Li Muzi / Xinhua via ZUMA Wire / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti