Abdul Kareem Umar: Tal Kocher Border Crossing closure politically motivated

The conflicting powers in Syria, mainly Turkey and Russia, which support the Syrian Government, are trying to put pressure on the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria to create discord and spread the hatred.

The Security Council approved the transfer of cross-border assistance to Syria for the first time in 2014, and north and east Syria was receiving a share of this assistance, which was provided to refugees and IDPs in the area via Al-Yaarubiyah/Tal Kocher Border Crossing between North and East Syria and Iraq.

However, a Russian-Chinese veto prevented the entry of humanitarian aid to north and east Syria. Russia has not been reluctant to give way for aids to enter areas occupied by Turkish occupying state and its mercenaries through Bab Al- Hawa Border Crossing. Analysts suggested that the aim of this policy is to subjugate north and east Syria to the Syrian Government.

The UN mandate to deliver cross-border assistance to Syria expires on July 10th, and Western countries have submitted a new draft resolution to extend the mandate, which Moscow rejects, warning international organizations of "serious consequences" if the mandate is not extended. Al-Yaarubiyah/Tal Kocher border crossing will remain closed."

Co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Abdul Kareem Umar has confirmed that the Russian-Chinese veto is a politically motivated decision, Russia and China were trying to legitimize the Syrian Government. "The main objective of the veto is to deliver aid to north and east Syria via the Syrian Government. Russia and China are trying to restore the hegemony of the authoritarian regime over the regions, which is not possible. "

Abdul Kareem Umar explained that the closure of the Al-Yaarubiyah/Tal Kocher Border Crossing has serious repercussions on north and east Syria, more than 5 million people live in the region, as well as tens of thousands of IDPs and refugees who have come to north and east Syria in search to security and stability. Not to mention the existence of dozens of camps that were built after Turkish attacks on north and east Syria from 2018 to the present day.

Abdul Kareem Umar asserts that sanctions imposed on Syria have directly affected north and east Syria, because they are part of Syria and deal with Syrian lira. The humanitarian crisis in the area has worsened after closing Al-Yaarubiyah/Tal Kocher Border Crossing, particularly, after the outbreak of COVID 19," we were barely able to secure special equipment and supplies for this pandemic."

Umar revealed: "the international aid allocated to our regions is estimated at millions of dollars, and this aid is handed over to the Syrian Government, which only a few were sent, during the COVID 19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) did not provide any assistance to us. PCRs were provided to all, except for us. The pandemic has significantly affected the people of the region.

Umar explained that the closure of the Al-Yaarubiyah Border Crossing was a major impact the outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic in north and east Syria, as well as affecting the living situation, as well as the operation to defeat ISIS mercenaries. "Yes, the Syrian Democratic Forces declared victory over ISIS militarily and geographically but that does not substantiate that ISIS has ended. There are dozens of ISIS cells in the region. The extremist ideology spread by ISIS is still fresh in their minds, and in a bid to rehabilitate these areas, the international community must support small projects there. 

Umar regretted that the international community had not provided assistance to the region: "Unfortunately, the international community has not provided what has been said above that created ground and an opportunity for ISIS mercenaries to revive in some areas." The closure of the Al-Yaarubiyah Border Crossing had not only affected the humanitarian situation, but also the socio-economic situation and the confrontation of the "terrorism."

Umar warned against catastrophic consequences in event the decision to authorize UN to deliver aid to Syria was not reviewed during the meeting to be held on 7 and 8 July.

Umar pointed out that they were discussing with international delegations coming to the north and east of Syria about the risks to the region caused by the closure of the Al-Yaarubiyah Border Crossing noting that there were serious attempts by United States, some European countries and many international humanitarian and relief organizations to pressure Russia to reconsider the veto decision on the crossing. "he pressures reached the point of threatening not to provide support to Russia on the issue of resolving the Syrian crisis and some other issues." Concluding that if Russia uses its veto again, the international community must search for alternative ways to bring aid into the regions of north and east Syria.

T/S

ANHA