Explainer: Why Syria’s Assad opened two border crossings for earthquake aid
Aid has reached both Syrian government and rebel territory in response to the disaster, but the situation remains dire.
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The United Nations announced late Monday that the government of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has agreed to temporarily open two more border crossings into Syria following this month’s devastating earthquake that left more than 35,000 dead in Syria and Turkey.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said after meeting Assad that the Syrian president has agreed to open two border points from Turkey into northwest Syria. The crossings at Bab al-Salam and al-Rai will remain open for three months for humanitarian aid, according to a UN statement.