Despite suffering severe damage from the earthquake, including the death of more than 2,500 people, the Syrian government does not open its borders, making the international community’s support personnel and relief supplies virtually useless. It is predicted that 90% of the population in northwestern Syria will be in extreme danger.
On the 7th (local time), the New York Times (NYT) and others reported that major cities in northwestern Syria, such as Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia, which were hit by the earthquake, are barely being helped by the international community. This is because external aid has virtually ceased as the only transport route from southern Turkey (Turkey) to these rebel-held areas has been cut off by an earthquake.
According to the NYT, in Syria, where the civil war has been going on for 13 years, Russia, which supports the Byassar al-Assad regime militarily and economically, cut off all borders to northwestern Syria controlled by rebel forces in 2021. However, only one border passageway, Bab al-Hawa, is left for direct access by foreign aid organizations. However, on the 6th, a strong earthquake damaged and closed the road to Bab al-Hawah, blocking the only way external aid could reach. The NYT reported that vehicles loaded with construction materials and relief supplies were lined up on the road leading to Bab al-Hawah from the Turkiyeh side.
Because of this, rescue operations in northwest Syria, which were badly damaged by the earthquake, are carried out only by the civilian ‘White Helmets’, or Syrian Civil Defense. A White Helmets volunteer told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), “I hear people crying out for help in the rubble, but there is nothing I can do.”
The Al-Assad regime, which does not open border passages other than Bab Al-Hawa, does not ask for aid from the international community. Criticism comes out saying that the situation of earthquake damage in Syrian rebel areas is ‘I don’t know’. The United States and European Union (EU) countries have offered to send rescue teams to Syria, but the Syrian government has not shown any reaction. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbok held a press conference in Berlin on the same day and urged the “full opening of the border between Turkey and Syria”.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.