Agreement to reopen Bab al-Hawa crossing for six months

The UN has confirmed that Syria will reopen the main border crossing from Turkey to the northwest for six months. UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said an “understanding” had been reached to reopen the Bab Al Hawa crossing after talks between UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths and Syrian officials.

The crossing from Turkey was a vital lifeline for some 4 million people in the Idlib region, accounting for 85 percent of aid deliveries. It was closed in July after the UN Security Council failed to adopt one of two rival resolutions authorizing further deliveries. Syria demanded that the aid offered through the Bab al-Hawa transition be provided “in full cooperation and coordination with the government”. It also wanted the UN not to communicate with “terrorist organizations”.

The UN responded that the ban on communication with groups designated as ‘terrorist’ by the Syrian government would prevent the UN from engaging with ‘relevant state and non-state actors’. While this is “operationally necessary to conduct safe and unhindered humanitarian operations”. The UN spokesperson gave no details of the agreement reached to reopen the crossing.

Syria also agreed to keep open two border crossings with Turkey. The Bab al-Salameh and al-Rai crossings will now remain open until 13 November. Permission to deliver aid through the crossings had already been extended once in May and was due to expire on last Sunday. These routes have been open since the February earthquake in Turkey and Syria for the delivery of emergency aid.