Beirut:A humanitarian aid convoy on Wednesday entered the rebel-held Syrian town of Daraya, the Red Cross said, in the first such delivery since a regime siege began in 2012.
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The International Syria Support Group (ISSG) of countries backing the Syrian peace process had set a June 1 deadline for Syria’s government to allow humanitarian aid to all areas, including those in rebel hands, or risk having air drops imposed.
A convoy entered the town of Daraya for the first time since 2012 on Wednesday and a second delivery reached Moadamiyeh for the first time since March.
Both towns are besieged by Syrian forces.
Ramzy said that Russian Federation took tremendous efforts to make sure a convoy carrying humanitarian aid reached the besieged Damascus suburb of Daraya on Wednesday (June 1), reported Sputnik.
The International Syria Support Group, a coalition of world powers, had called for the World Food Programme to unilaterally deliver food to besieged Syrians starting June 1 if access wasn’t granted by the Syrian government.
A long-awaited humanitarian aid convoy entered the Damascus suburb of Daraya, under siege from government forces since 2012, as an worldwide deadline for the provision of relief to besieged areas of Syria expired.
On May 12-five days before the ISSG called for air drops-Syrian regime forces stationed outside Darayya prevented an worldwide aid convoy carrying medical aid and school supplies from entering the town. But there was no food for the malnourished citizens of Daraya.
Although an air bridge has already been established for the eastern desert city of Dair Alzour, a government-controlled enclave that is surrounded by Islamic State militants, United Nations officials stressed the challenges of conducting similar drops in urban areas.
In 15 of the besieged areas WFP hopes to reach, helicopter operations would be the only viable option if land access is not granted, the agency said.
Britain’s United Nations ambassador Matthew Rycroft said “it’s too little, too late, but it’s welcome”.
Riad Hijab, head of the opposition High Negotiations Committee, which participated in failed peace talks with the government in Geneva earlier this year, wrote in a letter to the United Nations secretary-general that a “comprehensive” cease-fire and the unfettered delivery of aid are preconditions for resuming negotiations.
Syria’s U.N. Mission sent an email Thursday night saying it approved the delivery of humanitarian aid in June to 36 “restive areas”, including the besieged towns of Kafr Batna, East Harasta, Foua and Kefraya.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby said Washington was “pleased” with the confirmation of ground delivery of humanitarian assistance.
An earlier cease-fire that went into effect in late February brought relief to some opposition areas but frayed by late April.
The Security Council was holding a special session Friday where Stephen O’Brien, the United Nations under secretary general for humanitarian affairs, and Staffan de Mistura, the world body’s special envoy for Syria, briefed diplomats on the latest developments.
The US is also supporting an offensive by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made up by Kurdish and Arab fighters, against IS-held Manbij.
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Last month bombings claimed by the Islamic State group in the nearby seaside cities of Jableh and Tartus killed at least 170 people.
