NEW YORK (Dispatches) – Syria has slammed the United Nations Security Council’s decision to prolong a cross-border aid mission into the war-torn nation from Turkey for the next 12 months as ‘politicized’, saying that the move undermines the country’s sovereignty.
“They demonstrated their utter indifference to the sufferings of Syrian people, and proved they would seize any possible chance to target Syria. They occupy Syrian territories, violate the country’s sovereignty and enforce a blockade against the Syrian nation,” Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Bassam Sabbagh said.
On Friday, the UN Security Council extended a cross-border aid operation into Syria from Turkey. The council first authorized a cross-border aid operation into Syria in 2014 at four points.
Sabbagh said Syria rejects the mechanism as it lacks transparency and oversight, and does not ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to needy people.
He added the Damascus government stands committed to providing humanitarian assistance to Syrians to mitigate the adverse consequences of the country’s war on terrorism.
The council reached the agreement to extend activity at the only border crossing through which aid reaches the terrorist-held region of northwest Syria.
The council mandate for the operation was due to expire on Saturday. After not engaging in weeks of discussion on a resolution drafted by Ireland and Norway, Syrian ally Russia on Thursday proposed a six-month renewal.
Following negotiations between Thomas-Greenfield and Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia on Friday morning, the 15-member council adopted a compromise resolution that asks for a UN report on Syria aid access in six months, but that diplomats said does not require another vote in January to again extend the cross-border operation.
The council first authorized a cross-border aid operation into Syria in 2014 at four points. Last year, it whittled that down to one point from Turkey into a militant-held area in Syria due to Russian and Chinese opposition over renewing all four.
Russia has said the aid operation is outdated and violates Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a swipe at the U.S. and others, Russia and China have also blamed unilateral sanctions for some of Syria’s plight.