Syrian government grants limited UN aid to opposition areas, extending permission

The Syrian government has extended permission for the United Nations to deliver aid to opposition-controlled areas in northwest Syria via two Turkish border crossings for another three months. This comes as the United States' exemption allowing transactions linked to humanitarian assistance into the country has expired. The short authorisation periods for aid deliveries have been a source of concern for human rights groups and locals in opposition-controlled areas, who fear that the Syrian government may use the threat of removing aid as a tool to punish the region. The UN is working to resolve obstacles to resume aid operations.