Turkey urges pressure on Assad regime for aid delivery
Presidential spokesperson says immediate delivery of humanitarian aid in Syria requires stepped-up pressure on Assad regime
Turkey on Friday urged greater pressure on the Assad regime to allow the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Syrians.
“In order to swiftly deliver humanitarian aid in Syria, the pressure on the [Assad] regime must be stepped up,” presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin told reporters in the capital Ankara.
Kalin held the Assad regime responsible for the failure to implement a cease-fire as well as blocked aid deliveries, calling it "the biggest obstacle."
Kalin also said to date Turkey has distributed $630 million worth of humanitarian aid to the war-torn country.
On Feb. 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401, which called for a cease-fire in Syria -- especially the besieged Eastern Ghouta enclave -- to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Despite the resolution, however, in early March the regime and its allies launched a major ground offensive -- backed by Russian air power -- aimed at capturing opposition-held parts of the district.
Home to some 400,000 residents, the district has remained under a crippling regime siege for the last five years, which has prevented the delivery of badly needed humanitarian aid.
