Russian Foreign Ministry criticizes Western procrastination in providing international humanitarian aid to Syria

MOSCOW, Nov.14, (ST)- The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that despite all the efforts made by the Syrian government, some international parties continue to procrastinate in providing necessary humanitarian assistance from the United Nations in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued today: “With regard to aid, the Russian side points out the complete absence of the entry of aid from inside Syria across the lines, and the reason is that this is prevented by the militants of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham group, which is classified by the UN Security Council as a terrorist organization and other illegal armed groups operating in the northern regions of Syria, in Idlib Governorate.”

The Ministry indicated that at the same time, even through the border crossings was opened by the government of the Syrian Arab Republic, aid delivery is limited, and despite the current permission, the largest border crossing in Bab al-Hawa did not operate until the end of September 2023 . One truck enters per month, and the other two points are practically idle, as about 20 trucks pass through the “Bab al-Salama” crossing, while the flow of goods through the “Al-Rai” crossing is completely non-existent.

“The US and the EU continue suppressing the economy of the Syrian Arab Republic by illegal unilateral sanctions that prohibit the country’s import of construction materials and power generators, medicines and medical equipment, as well as infant formulae and toothpaste as dual-purpose goods,” TASS quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement.

“At the same time, Washington and its allies, unlawfully occupy territories in the northeast and south of Syria and  participate in plundering and smuggling oil and grain, depriving the Syrian population of food and energy resources,” the ministry said.

B.Q.