MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 04th November, 2018) The US State Department said in a statement on Saturday that it recognized the role of Russia in resolving the issue of delivery of UN humanitarian aid to the Rukban camp located near the US At-Tanf base in Syria.
The Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian Reconciliation said earlier in the day that Russian military police had ensured the safety of the UN humanitarian convoy moving from Damascus to Rukban camp for internally displaced persons. On Friday, the US Central Command alleged that Russia had refused to support the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the encampment.
"We welcome the news that the UN is finally able to begin delivering aid to the Rukban encampment from Damascus ... We also recognize Russia's role in persuading the regime to finally comply with the UN Security Council's authorizations for the delivery of cross-line humanitarian aid by issuing the administrative approvals required for this convoy to move," the statement read.
Washington also hopes Moscow will "use its influence" with the Syrian authorities to address the lack of humanitarian access "across much of Syria," the statement added.
Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, the spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, said earlier this week that the delivery of humanitarian aid, planned for October 27, had been thwarted due to the threat of attack in the US-controlled zone.
