Syria regime grants UN extension to use Türkiye crossings for northwest humanitarian aid

Syrian regime extended its permission for UN to use its two crossings through Türkiye to deliver humanitarian assistance for three months, the UN humanitarian affairs office said on Monday.

"The UN cross-border operation remains a lifeline to people in north-west Syria. Each month, the UN and partners reach an average of 2.5 million people with critical assistance and protection services," UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement.

The UN will use Bab al-Salam and Al Ra'ee crossings to deliver humanitarian assistance across the border from Türkiye to north-west Syria until Feb. 13.

"So far this year, more than 4,200 trucks carrying UN aid have crossed from Türkiye to northwest Syria using the Bab Al-Hawa, Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra’ae border crossings," the OCHA said.

As of Monday, more than 260 cross-border missions by UN personnel have also been completed, it added.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric described the extension as "good news."