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Moscow Renews Debates about Humanitarian Aid Delivery to Syria

Two children in a refugee camp in the countryside of Raqqa, northern Syria (AFP)
Two children in a refugee camp in the countryside of Raqqa, northern Syria (AFP)
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Moscow Renews Debates about Humanitarian Aid Delivery to Syria

Two children in a refugee camp in the countryside of Raqqa, northern Syria (AFP)
Two children in a refugee camp in the countryside of Raqqa, northern Syria (AFP)

Moscow has launched a new diplomatic battle at the UN Security Council, declaring its opposition to the extension of the international mechanism for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria for another six months.

Damascus, like its major ally Moscow, also stepped up its opposition of renewing and extending the international mechanism for aid delivery.

On Wednesday, UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen warned against the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria and suggested steps to break the impasse and resume political negotiations.

Russia’s UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya was the one to relay his country’s objection to extending the mechanism. This came as no surprise since Moscow had already criticized the international agreement’s course of action.

The mechanism was extended last June, for a period of six months, provided that the UN Security Council returns to its discussions on the issue by the end of the year.

Moscow is currently conducting discussions with Ankara about its military campaign in northern Syria. The two sides are reviewing humanitarian aid delivery, especially since the only crossing that Moscow agreed to continue working with is the “Bab al-Hawa” crossing on the border with Türkiye.

During a UN Security Council discussion session, Nebenzya justified the Russian position by saying that the current humanitarian situation in Syria “does not provide an appropriate context for discussions about extending the mechanism for delivering aid across the borders.”

“It is difficult to get rid of the feeling that the efforts being made to justify the lack of an alternative to the mechanism for transporting aid across the borders are more than what is being done to organize supplies across the line of contact,” added Nebenzya.

“The issue for us is not that we oppose providing aid to simple Syrians, as some delegations will try to suggest,” argued the diplomat, adding that Russia “calls on the international community to help all Syrians without any discrimination.”

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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.