After 12 years of war, Bashar al-Assad's government remains a pariah in the West, complicating international efforts to assist those affected by the quake.
The first UN aid delivery to rebel-held areas of Syria after the quake entered through the northwestern Bab al-Hawa crossing on Friday.By allowing aid to enter rebel-held northwest Syria through more border crossings from Türkiye, President Bashar al-Assad has given way to a demand of his foreign adversaries. The question now, say analysts, is what he may want in return.
Last week, Saudi Arabia sent its first reported plane of aid to Assad-controlled Aleppo, a notable gesture from a Gulf state still at odds with Syria's president. Saudi earthquake assistance had thus far only gone to rebel areas. Announced by the United Nations, Mr Assad's decision permitting aid to move across two more border crossings for three months came after calls for more access, and as the United States was calling for a Security Council resolution authorising such crossings.UN aid is currently being delivered through one crossing authorised by a Security Council resolution.
"Opening these crossings for a temporary period does not really cost Assad anything, but it lets him escape criticism and it highlights his ability to turn border access on and off at will." The Syrian information ministry did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The Syrian presidency has not issued any statements on the decision on the crossings.
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