Russia rejected recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO) to resume work on cross-border aid mechanisms that allow entrance of humanitarian supplies to Syrian regions, noting that the report issued by the organization over the issue reflects its submission to US and western pressures.
The Russian and Syrian headquarters to coordinate the return of Syrian refugees issued a joint statement criticizing the WHO for saying that "facing the epidemic effectively in northeastern Syria requires the restoration of sustainable supplies of humanitarian aid, including through Al-Yarubia crossing, the border with Iraq."
It also accused the WHO of exerting pressure in line with the interests of the West, and the US in particular, at the expense of the Syrian people in light of the outbreak of COVID-19.
The statement further pointed out that Washington is manipulating the epidemiological situation in northeastern Syria according to its interests, stressing that the WHO being dragged into this game is "surprising and anxious.”
It also warned of the possibility of smuggling weapons and drugs and allowing the armed and infected with COVID-19 to reach the lands of neighboring countries through this crossing.
"The real goals of the West’s aggressive approach to opening Yarubia crossing are represented in the unimpeded transfer of weapons to Kurdish formations controlled by the US side and the companies controlled by the US to illegally extract Syrian hydrocarbon raw materials, instead of facing a virus infection or provide humanitarian aid to the population of Syria,” the statement added.
It further urged the WHO to “reconsider its approach to observing the fundamental principles of the United Nations and to stop the practice of manipulating public opinion imposed by Western countries".
Meanwhile, Russia and Syria denied the validity of recent reports claiming that the two sides are allegedly preventing the passage of a humanitarian aid convoy agreed to enter Rakban camp in southern Syria on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, noting that these reports are nothing but a media “pump” behind the gunmen.
The two parties affirmed that the Syrian government is ready to provide assistance to the citizens trapped in Rukban once it regains control over the area.
Earlier, Russia vetoed the mandate renewal for cross-border assistance mechanism at the Security Council. The Council also reduced the number of crossings, given that they are under the supervision of the Syrian government.
Moscow and Damascus called on the international community to pressure Washington to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria, in light of the spread of coronavirus, warning that the sanctions could create a genocide.
The center also criticized the US for ignoring the dangers of the virus in Syria, and its insistence on turning a blind eye to the UN’s proposals.
It pointed out that Syrian government has very limited capabilities in detecting and treating coronavirus patients, noting that authorities are conducting 100 tests per day only. In addition, Syria has only 25 thousand beds in its medical facilities, which also lack the needed ventilators.
The statement indicated that the war destroyed the health system in Syria, and it is impossible to rehabilitate this system to face the pandemic effectively without assistance from abroad.
It also said that the sanctions imposed by the US and European countries unilaterally on Syria hinder supplying necessary medicines and medical equipment.
