It's a big day in the #Syria policy world, as #SyriaConf2021 kicks off in #Brussels & @SecBlinken chairs a UNSC session on humanitarian aid in #Syria.
BIG kudos to @ABlinken for taking this on & raising the vital aid issue onto the front-burner.
BIG kudos to @ABlinken for taking this on & raising the vital aid issue onto the front-burner.
https://twitter.com/StateDept/status/1376515867849146372
@SecBlinken @ABlinken NEW - As has so often been the case, when the international community convenes high-level #Syria events (#SyriaConf2021 & UNSC), #Russia's jets take to the sky & drop bombs.
Multiple airstrikes being reported in #Idlib right now.
Multiple airstrikes being reported in #Idlib right now.
@SecBlinken @ABlinken In 10mins, @SecBlinken will chair a UNSC session on humanitarian aid in #Syria.
Last week, Jeff Feltman & I wrote something for @politico calling for high-level diplomacy to sustain unhindered cross-border aid access. There's nothing more important now:
Last week, Jeff Feltman & I wrote something for @politico calling for high-level diplomacy to sustain unhindered cross-border aid access. There's nothing more important now:
https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1374782391986888708
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico And not only is #Russia threatening to cut *all* aid to 4.5+ million civilians, it's also back to using precision weapons to destroy hospitals in #Syria.
Our investigation last week revealed the 1st proven use of laser-guided artillery shells to do so:
Our investigation last week revealed the 1st proven use of laser-guided artillery shells to do so:
https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1375082147623620618
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico .@UNReliefChief tells UNSC that aid needs are "higher than ever," with 14.3 million in need -- 20% more than in 2020.
Malnutrition is rapidly rising.
Malnutrition is rapidly rising.
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief .@UNReliefChief tells UNSC of the artillery shelling that targeted the @UN-deconflicted al-Atareb hospital -- which was "obviously a deliberate attack."
Note that I & a team of munitions analysts determined that #Russia laser-guided munitions were used:
Note that I & a team of munitions analysts determined that #Russia laser-guided munitions were used:
https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1375082147623620618
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN .@UNReliefChief says that recent airstrikes targeted the road to Bab al-Hawa crossing, the only point for cross-border aid today -- including a truck depot used to store aid delivery.
"More than 75%" of the 4.5 million civilians in NW #Syria depend on @UN aid today.
"More than 75%" of the 4.5 million civilians in NW #Syria depend on @UN aid today.
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN .@UNReliefChief, to UNSC now:
- The reason there's still malnutrition in NW #Syria isn't because @UN aid is being diverted, it's because the UN aid effort isn't big enough - we need more money.
- Still no cross-line agreement/aid from #Damascus to #Idlib. "Not a single truck."
- The reason there's still malnutrition in NW #Syria isn't because @UN aid is being diverted, it's because the UN aid effort isn't big enough - we need more money.
- Still no cross-line agreement/aid from #Damascus to #Idlib. "Not a single truck."
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN .@unicefchief speaking to UNSC now:
- "Across #Syria, nearly 90% of children require humanitarian assistance."
- Families reporting children suffering from mental health issues has doubled over the past year.
- Over 1 million stunted children a cross #Syria.
- "Across #Syria, nearly 90% of children require humanitarian assistance."
- Families reporting children suffering from mental health issues has doubled over the past year.
- Over 1 million stunted children a cross #Syria.
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief .@AmaniBallour tells UNSC that #Syria's suffering people are "still waiting" for help and support from the international community.
538 attacks on medical facilities "and still no accountability."
Renewing cross-border assistance "is simply the right thing to do."
538 attacks on medical facilities "and still no accountability."
Renewing cross-border assistance "is simply the right thing to do."
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour .@SecBlinken at UNSC:
- "Look, we all sit these chairs & speak these words & represent these countries, but how is it possible that we can't find in our hearts to take meaningful action to do something. How is that possible?
Think of your children & look into your hearts."
- "Look, we all sit these chairs & speak these words & represent these countries, but how is it possible that we can't find in our hearts to take meaningful action to do something. How is that possible?
Think of your children & look into your hearts."
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour .@SecBlinken at UNSC:
- "On March 21, the #Assad regime shelled al-Atareb hospital... even a cave could not keep them safe...The coordinates had been shared with the UN, meaning the regime knew exactly where it was."
On the same day, aid supplies were targeted too.
- "On March 21, the #Assad regime shelled al-Atareb hospital... even a cave could not keep them safe...The coordinates had been shared with the UN, meaning the regime knew exactly where it was."
On the same day, aid supplies were targeted too.
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour .@SecBlinken at UNSC:
- "It is clear that the needs are not going to be met by #Syria's regime... We know the answer, we must ensure #Syrians get the aid they need & the most efficient method is through border crossings... There is no good reason crossings remain closed today."
- "It is clear that the needs are not going to be met by #Syria's regime... We know the answer, we must ensure #Syrians get the aid they need & the most efficient method is through border crossings... There is no good reason crossings remain closed today."
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour .@SecBlinken just appeared to attribute last week's bombing of @UN aid routes & supplies near Bab al-Hawa to "#Russian forces."
We've not heard that before -- until now, it'd be attributed to #Assad forces.
It would align with this, from the same day:
We've not heard that before -- until now, it'd be attributed to #Assad forces.
It would align with this, from the same day:
https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1375082147623620618
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour Here's @SecBlinken's #Syria cross-border aid proposal at the UNSC:
- "Let's reauthorize both border crossings that've been closed" (al-Yaroubiya & Bab al-Salam) & keep Bab al-Hawa open.
Allow unhindered access -- "it's more important than ever."
- "Let's reauthorize both border crossings that've been closed" (al-Yaroubiya & Bab al-Salam) & keep Bab al-Hawa open.
Allow unhindered access -- "it's more important than ever."
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour .@SecBlinken makes a clear & crucially important point at the UNSC -- that "sovereignty was never intended to ensure the right of a government to starve its people."
Hear, hear.
Hear, hear.
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour After hearing a chorus of calls for a widening of aid access to northern #Syria, #Russia's Deputy FM Vershinin accuses the West of providing cover for jihadists; failing to provide for areas they "de facto occupy;" and imposing sanctions [against #Assad's regime].
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour #Russia's Deputy FM Vershinin is doing a superb job of #Moscow-style distraction, obfuscation & disinformation.
And in closing, he gave us all this insulting nonsense:
- "Representatives in #Damascus are doing everything they can to support international humanitarian actions."
And in closing, he gave us all this insulting nonsense:
- "Representatives in #Damascus are doing everything they can to support international humanitarian actions."
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour Just minutes before @SecBlinken took to chair a UNSC session on #Syria aid, #Russia jets struck their latest target in #Idlib -- a sizable chicken farm.
That's no coincidence -- as hospitals, schools & the aid system have all been targeted in recent weeks.
That's no coincidence -- as hospitals, schools & the aid system have all been targeted in recent weeks.
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour My short analysis for @MiddleEastInst's Monday Briefing, looking at why it was so important that @SecBlinken took to the UNSC today to assert the importance of unhindered humanitarian access to the millions in need across northern #Syria:
mei.edu/blog/monday-br…
mei.edu/blog/monday-br…
@SecBlinken @ABlinken @politico @UNReliefChief @UN @unicefchief @AmaniBallour @MiddleEastInst As @UN chief @antonioguterres makes clear, the implications of an end to #Syria's cross-border aid mechanism would be truly catastrophic.
#Russia simply cannot be allowed to put #Assad's siege/starve strategy onto steroids -- we must act assertively now:
politico.com/news/magazine/…
#Russia simply cannot be allowed to put #Assad's siege/starve strategy onto steroids -- we must act assertively now:
politico.com/news/magazine/…
https://twitter.com/amandaruthprice/status/1376905901228052491
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