Russia to propose UNSC resolution on Syria aid delivery after veto

Moscow says it will propose a draft resolution at the UN Security Council to seek a six-month extension of a cross-border aid delivery mechanism for Syria through one checkpoint, after Russia and China vetoed a relevant resolution drafted based on an “outdated” format.

“The time has come to phase out this mechanism in order to replace it with humanitarian supplies that will be implemented in accordance with the principles outlined in UN General Assembly resolution 46/182,” Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said in a statement on Tuesday.

He added, “However, we are aware of the need to meet the humanitarian needs of all Syrians. We will present our draft resolution, which implies a six-month extension of the mechanism, while limiting the number of existing checkpoints to one at the Bab al-Hawa checkpoint on the Turkish border.”

Earlier in the day, Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution drafted by Germany and Belgium that would maintain two border crossing points from Turkey — namely Bab al-Salam and Bab al-Hawa — to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria for a year.

Moscow had said earlier that it expected the UN and Damascus to work out alternative routes for aid delivery at the request and with the permission of the recipient state, while respecting Syria’s territorial integrity.

Nebenzia urged “partners in the Council and other UN member states not to politicize the humanitarian dossier, and to support instead our draft resolution, which will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Idlib,” a northwestern Syrian province, which is currently the last major militant stronghold in the Arab country.

The mechanism for cross-border assistance was established in July 2014, when the Security Council started to authorize cross-border humanitarian aid for Syria with periodic extensions. The latest extension will expire on Friday.

Nebenzia further argued in the statement that the aid mechanism is outdated and needs to be replaced with a new one given the fast-changing developments on the ground in Syria.

ME