Statement by Ambassador Vitaly I. Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, during the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East
July 25, 2016
The multi-year conflict eroding Syria today, due to terrorists fuelled with weapons from the outside, violations and flows of internally displaced persons and refugees, has seen a deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Syria. At the same time, following the establishment of the ceasefire regime, we have seen some progress. Humanitarian access has increased significantly and difficulties are being discussed in the special format of the International Syria Support Group.
The Government of Damascus is doing a great deal to ensure that, in such a difficult context of internal armed conflict, its citizens can enjoy a normal life. As a result of the unrelenting work of Russian specialists based in Hmeimim, the number of residential areas participating in the ceasefire is now 209. More than 60 armed opposition movements have stated their intention to implement the ceasefire regime. There are ongoing talks with armed militias about extending the ceasefire to the governorates of Daraa, As-Suwayda and Homs. Russia is providing humanitarian assistance to Syrians through both the State and civil society. In this regard, we stress the need to establish a sound process for the return of internally displaced persons to reconciled regions and to rebuild public infrastructure there.
The priority format for humanitarian operations remains by land, with the direct agreement of the Syrian Government. As a last resort, airdrops could be used. Air delivery has become a lifesaver for hundreds of thousands in Deir ez-Zor, besieged by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham. Humanitarian supplies are dropped with the active participation of Russian forces. This has been effective for the provision of assistance to those in Al-Hasakah, and we can therefore only welcome the opening of the air bridge in Qamishli. However, let us not forget that the situation arises from the fact that Turkey has been blocking the crossing point from Nusaybin for several months now. We hope that Ankara will make the right decision to alleviate the suffering of Syrian civilians.
We call on the United States, the United Kingdom and other allies of Turkey and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to provide Turkey with the necessary assistance. I recall that when we discussed the opening of the crossing point to Damascus, our Western partners imposed preconditions or linkages almost every day. We stress that it is unacceptable for fighters to use civilians as human shields. It is well known that opponents of the Syrian Government often use this tactic, trapping people in blocked-off residential areas.
We do not question the need for humanitarian assistance, including in besieged areas. However, we believe that the Government of Syria’s military operations to block and destroy terrorists aim to reinstate law and order. In a number of cases, as a result of such actions, fighters terrorizing locals have signalled their readiness to lay down arms.
We are deeply worried about information that, as a consequence of strikes led by the United States coalition in the area of Manbij, in the north of the country, dozens of people, including women and children, have been killed and injured in camps. We are struck by the fact that not a single word has been said about this incident in the statements made by the representatives of the United Kingdom, France and other participants in the coalition. We hope that this incident will be discussed in detail by the representative of the United States, who will take the floor after us. We do not need promises of investigations. We have been waiting five years for an investigation into civilian bombing victims in Libya, but we still have not heard a word about that either. I am therefore sure that United States military knows how the situation stands now.
The news of the atrocious attack on a Palestinian boy, beheaded by bandits from the Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki, was heart-wrenching. Some have supported this armed group and its cronies in Syria, calling them moderate opposition members, including them in the ceasefire regime, and by any and all means protecting the group from due payback. It is high time for the Security Council to add to the list of terrorists wreaking havoc in Syria.
As a result of the intensified actions carried out over the ceasefire period by Jabhat Al-Nusra and its allies, the situation in Aleppo remains urgent. Terrorists use the ceasefire regime to receive reinforcement from abroad, resupply and mobilize fresh forces, including through the recruitment of minors. As in other besieged areas, the fighters entrenched there are regularly provided with military assistance. The Castello Road is no exception; we have information to the effect that this route is actively being used not for the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians, but to provide terrorists with weapons and armaments, as well as for the passage of jihad-mobiles with suicide bombers. We also know that those in eastern areas of Aleppo can easily move by day to the western part of the city, where the situation is significantly better. Of course, however the situation might be in Aleppo, there is a need to prevent a humanitarian disaster there.
Just a few words on Darayya: fighters holed up there are carrying out broad artillery strikes, making the provision of humanitarian assistance impossible. At the same time, the supplies that do get there are flowing into the markets of eastern Ghouta. These types of commercial arrangements have characterized extremist-controlled areas. Our delegation has always spoken about the futile effect of unilateral sanctions against Damascus. Such measures should be lifted, as they cause suffering to people.
First and foremost, there is a need to lift the ban on the provision of medications and fuel. The intermittent pitting of Security Council members one against the other on the humanitarian dossier, the imposition of new ultimatums on the Government of Syria and calling upon Russia to bring pressure to bear on the Government is counterproductive. We believe instead that people should go to Damascus, establish working contacts and actually do something useful. It is clear that foreign sponsors are not upholding their obligations with respect to working with the opposition. They have primary responsibility for a lack of humanitarian access in terrorist-held areas, first and foremost Fo’ah and Kefraya, where the food situation is extremely difficult. Incessant shelling by jihadists there is killing peaceful resident.
Fighters continue with artillery strikes, and the people suffer. We call upon United Nations staff to carefully discharge their mandate, uphold the sovereignty of Syria, not deviate from the principles of neutrality and impartiality, and work to provide help for all those in need, not just those who are in territories controlled by the opposition. We really cannot shake the impression that the spotlight is being intentionally focused on the provision of humanitarian assistance to those areas where the Government of Syria is carrying out counter-terrorism operations. In certain areas controlled by the Government, where people are just as much in need, humanitarian convoys do not seem to be any special hurry. These double standards must be done away with; all need help without exception and without any artificial linkages with those areas in Syria approved by Damascus.
Tasks have to be realistic and cooperation close with the Syrian Government. There is a need to heed the Government’s view, including in the design of supply routes. The justified view of Damascus in ensuring security for humanitarian staff is often not taken into account. This was recently demonstrated by the incident in which a driver from the Syrian Red Crescent sustained injuries in a hastily equipped humanitarian convoy sent by night.
Just a few words on politics: let us stop the footdragging and resume United Nations-led Syrian talks. Russia is sparing no effort to bring the sides to a peaceful settlement on the basis of international law. An integral element of this strategy is cooperation with the United States, as co-Chair of the International Syria Support Group, as well as with other partners in this very special format. We hope that all partners will seek to shore up rather than erode achievements.
