Veto at the UN Security Council threatens critical humanitarian aid route for millions of Syrians in rebel-held regions.

Russia used its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to block a nine-month renewal of cross-border aid to Syria, a decision that has been widely condemned as “an act of utter cruelty.” The resolution, which aimed to maintain the crucial aid route into Syria from Turkey, was intended to help over 4 million people in rebel-held areas of north-west Syria, a region still struggling to recover from the devastation of February’s earthquake.

The Bab al-Hawa border crossing, which serves as the primary lifeline for humanitarian aid, had its authorization expire on Monday. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, had pushed for a 12-month renewal, while Russia only agreed to a six-month extension. Russia’s envoy to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, made it clear that if the six-month proposal was not accepted, the Russian government would “just go ahead and close down the cross-border mechanism.”

The UK and 12 other Security Council members supported the nine-month renewal, which was seen as a compromise between the UN’s request for a longer extension and Russia’s demands. However, Russia vetoed this resolution, with only Russia and China voting in favor of their own six-month proposal. Ten council members abstained, and the US, the UK, and France voted against Russia’s proposal. Under UN procedures, a resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members of the Security Council to be adopted.

Russia’s veto marks another significant blow to the humanitarian efforts in Syria, as the country’s government, led by Bashar al-Assad, continues to oppose cross-border aid routes, viewing them as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty. The aid has been a lifeline for millions of Syrians since it began in 2014, delivering essential supplies such as food, medicine, and shelter to people in opposition-held areas.

The decision to block the aid extension has sparked outrage, particularly in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the February 2023 earthquake. The United Nations has warned that this move will severely impact the ability of aid agencies to deliver crucial support to those in desperate need. Human rights groups and Western nations have condemned Russia’s action as callous, particularly given the dire conditions faced by civilians in north-west Syria.

As the vetoed resolution now threatens the existence of the aid route, humanitarian organizations are left scrambling to find alternative ways to provide for the region’s most vulnerable populations, while the international community continues to hold Russia accountable for its actions at the UN.