The UN Security Council decided to abandon voting on Thursday on a cross-border humanitarian assistance authorization to Syria, as was originally planned. It also decided to continue negotiations on Friday in the absence of an agreement between Russia or the West regarding its duration.
Diplomats say that Moscow insists on a six-month extension, which could be renewable. However, Westerners demand a one year extension for the authorization, which has been in force since 2014 and expires Sunday.
Norway and Ireland, who manage the dossier at Security Council, have produced a new text Thursday evening. The text provides for a six month extension to January 10, 2023 "with an extension of six more months, up until July 10, 2023 unless the Council determines otherwise".
A "substantial Report" by the Secretary-General would be required to extend the extension. This report should include information on transparency in aid shipments and progress in rapid rehabilitation projects that are in line with humanitarian requirements.
Thursday evening was a day of uncertainty as to whether the new proposal would be acceptable for Russia or whether a vote could be held on Friday. An ambassador spoke on condition of anonymity, "Russia insists only on six months."
Since 2014, the cross-border authorization allows humanitarian aid to be delivered to north-west Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing point at the Syrian-Turkish frontier. This crossing point is used by hundreds of trucks every month. This international humanitarian aid is for over 2.4 million people living in the Idleb area, which is largely held by rebels and jihadist groups.
Moscow, with its right to veto in Security Council, has significantly reduced these measures in recent decades, which it believes violates Syria's sovereignty. Therefore, aid delivery to the north-west should be done only from Damascus, across the frontlines.
Although the UN attempted to develop it, it still believes it is insufficient to meet the needs for millions of Syrians living in the Idleb area. The Organization notes that only five of the deliveries to the frontlines have been made. They call for the long-term preservation of the cross-border mechanism.
Russia has recently accepted an extension after hinting that it would not allow a further extension. It submitted its latest project, which competes with the one of Ireland and Norway, to its 14 partners on Thursday. The plan was to extend the system for six months, six months, with a clause that allows for a new Council decision in January.
However, Westerners find this condition unacceptable and don't see it as a guarantee for another extension at the start of next year.
The mentions of "rapid rehabilitation projects in Syria" are a striking novelty in the different texts. France and the West, led by France had previously preconditions any reconstruction aid to Syria on political reform. This is still a limbo.
The United States joined many other members of the Security Council in June to change their discourse and raise the possibility of funding "rapid rehabilitation projects" in the country.
According to the Security Council, "new initiatives are needed to expand humanitarian activities in Syria," including rapid rehabilitation projects in water, sanitation and electricity.
Over the past few weeks, many NGOs and senior UN officials have lobbyed Security Council members to extend cross-border clearance for another year.
