Cross-border Aid, Covid-19, and U.S. Decisions in Syria

By Will Todman

THE ISSUE

• The Syrian government has restricted international humanitarian access to opposition-controlled areas of Syria as part of its efforts to regain control of the entire country

• In 2014, the United Nations designated four border crossings humanitarians could use to deliver aid to those in need without government approval.

• Russia and China blocked the United Nations from using two border crossings in January, and the mandate for the remaining two crossings will expire on July 10, 2020.

• Cutting off UN humanitarian agencies’ cross-border access to northwest Syria as the country faces the Covid-19 pandemic would be a catastrophe for Syria, the Middle East, the broader international community, and U.S. interests.

• The U.S. government should maximize its leverage in negotiations by focusing on the imperative to maintain UN agencies’ cross-border access to northwest Syria.

• The United States should push for a separate agreement to allow cross-border medical access to northeast Syria through the Yaroubiyah crossing.