​​​​​​​Russia's role slammed in closing Tel Koçer crossing, warnings of its repercussions on IDPs

 The Tel Koçer border crossing between Iraq and northern and eastern Syria was the only crossing through which UN aid passed into northern and eastern Syria, which hosts about a million displaced persons and refugees.

 However, the crossing was closed in 2020 by a Security Council resolution with a Russian and Chinese veto preventing the renewal of the UN mechanism for cross-border aid, but it kept the Bab al-Hawa crossing in Idlib, which is under the occupation of Turkey and the mercenaries of Jabhat al-Nasr, open.

 The deputy co-presidency of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Hamdan al-Abed, said in this regard, "Russia has always tried to transform this crossing from a humanitarian crossing into a political corridor, support the Syrian government and make all humanitarian aid reach Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing."

Al-Abd criticized the Russian insistence on keeping north and east Syria besieged, and said, "We note an attempt to extend the duration of the ban on the Tel Koçer crossing, since the previous closure ends by January 10 of next year, but Russia is sticking to its previous decision, which stipulates that all humanitarian aid will come from Syria."

 In turn, the head of the Office of Displaced and Displaced Affairs of the AANES, Sheikhmous Ahmed, said, "The regions of northern and eastern Syria include nearly a million displaced persons, and refugees from various Syrian regions, in addition to the displaced people of al-Hol camp, whose burden is borne by the Autonomous Administration."

 He explained, "The aid that enters through the crossings under the control of Turkey or the regime, little of it reached northern and eastern Syria, since the main crossing for the entry of aid was closed with a Russian veto."

 Sheikhmous Ahmed stated, "The region was affected by the scarcity of aid and the withdrawal of international organizations from the region as a result of the Turkish invasion of the regions of Afrin, Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain in 2018 and 2019, and the ongoing threats so far and the bombing of the regions of northern and eastern Syria negatively affected humanitarian work in the regions of northern and eastern Syria."

Ahmed confirmed, at the end of his speech, "If the closure of the Tel Koçer crossing continues, it will negatively affect the people of northern and eastern Syria in general, and the displaced in the camps in particular, in addition to impeding the work of humanitarian organizations in the region."

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 ANHA