Syria extends UN aid delivery from Turkey to Northwest

Following the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria in February 2023, which claimed over 50,000 lives, Damascus initially permitted the U.N. three months of access through these crossings. This permission has now been extended for the fourth time, until May 13, 2024.

Koussay Aldahhak, Syria's U.N. Ambassador, confirmed on Saturday that the U.N. could continue utilizing the Bab al-Salam and Al Ra'ee crossings. Aldahhak shared this update on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Since 2014, the U.N. has also operated the Bab al-Hawa crossing for aid deliveries to millions in northwest Syria, under the U.N. Security Council's authorization. However, this mandate lapsed in mid-July of the previous year when the 15-member council failed to agree on an extension.

Shortly after this lapse, the Syrian government permitted the U.N. to keep using the Bab al-Hawa crossing for an additional six months, a term that was extended last month for another six months.