Monitoring Desk
DAMASCUS: The UN Security Council next week is to discuss if it will allow the UN to deliver earthquake aid to rebel-held northwestern Syria through more than one Turkish border crossing, a move veto-wielding Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, does not think is needed.
With the death toll in Turkiye and Syria surpassing 23,000, some diplomats expressed frustration that the 15-member council has been slow to respond after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for more access to northwestern Syria via Turkey.
UN Security Council needs to intervene
“There is frustration with foot-dragging on this,” a UN diplomat familiar with the discussions said on the condition of anonymity. “The secretary-general said we need more border crossings. The UN Security Council needs to intervene and get it done.”
Turkiye’s disaster management authority says the country’s death toll from Monday’s earthquakes has risen to 20,213, while 77,711 people have been wounded.
At least 2,166 people were killed in rebels held northwest Syria by the powerful earthquake, Syrian White Helmets have said.
The death toll in the government-held areas also has risen to 1,387 deaths and 2,326 wounded; the state media reported on Thursday, citing health ministry of Syria.
This brings the total deaths in Syria to 3,553.
