Human Rights Watch warns of catastrophe if Russia vetoes cross-border aid to Syria

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Human Rights Watch has warned of catastrophic consequences if Russia vetoes the reauthorisation of the only UN aid corridor into northern Syria next month.

Moscow may deprive millions of people of critical aid, including help in the fight against COVID-19, the watchdog said on Thursday, a month before the current UN resolution on cross-border aid is set to expire. 

UN aid, which is a key lifeline for millions of Syrians, is only currently allowed into northern Syria through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing, which connects Turkey with Idlib province.

In January of last year, Russia – the main backer of the Syrian regime - vetoed the extension of UN aid deliveries from border crossings with Iraq and Jordan, trying to push for reliance on Damascus. In July, the UN also stopped deliveries through Bab al-Salam, connecting Turkey with Aleppo province, because of pressure from Moscow. 

“The Syrian government's trademark has been obstruction, that's why we need cross-border aid,” Louis Charbonneau, HRW’s UN director, said in an online briefing on Thursday. “Russia can save so many lives with a simple 'yes.'" 

The organisation has said Russia must not only allow for aid to continue passing through al-Hawa, but also for the other border crossings to be reopened. 

“Failure to heed these common sense recommendations…would lead to a catastrophe,” added Charbonneau. 

Speaking on northeast Syria (Rojava), HRW’s Gerry Simpson said humanitarian aid reaching the region from Damascus is currently “woefully inadequate,” with the health sector particularly hard-hit by the closure of al-Yarubiyah crossing, which links Rojava with Iraq’s Nineveh province.

“The vast majority of non-governmental held parts of northeast Syria receive no health-related aid from the UN,” Simpson said, saying that almost half of UN-supported health centres in Rojava have been forced to close in the past year. Damascus, he added, has been “unwilling” to allow aid agencies to reach the northeast.

Humanitarian organisations serving Rojava have been able to send aid via the Kurdistan Region, but are unable to meet the scale of aid usually provided by the UN, said the associate director of the watchdog’s crisis and conflict division.

“The people of northeast Syria should receive help, including with healthcare and COVID vaccination supplies...through all possible routes,” he added. 

US officials have recently urged the UN to ensure cross-border aid deliveries can continue.