US diplomacy prompts Iraqi Kurds to allow aid through sealed Syrian border crossing
The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq has agreed to open one crossing between its territory and northeast Syria twice a month for the passage of vital aid.
After more than a month of US mediation the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq has agreed to open a vital crossing between its territory and northeast Syria twice a month for the passage of vital aid, Al-Monitor has learned.
The Fish Khabur/Semalka border crossing was sealed indefinitely by the KRG on Dec. 15 after Iraqi Kurdish border guards clashed with members of the Revolutionary Youth, or Ciwanen Soresger, a youth group that is linked to the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria. The administration operates under the military protection of the United States. Several Iraqi Kurdish border guards were reportedly injured by rocks hurled at them by the youths. The sides blame each other for the start of the violence.
The stoppage of all humanitarian and commercial traffic as well as that of ordinary individuals has provoked anger and dismay among the relief agencies delivering vital aid to the region. The crossings, however, remain open to staff of the US-led coalition, including around 900 US Special Operations forces stationed in northeast Syria to help its top partner on the ground, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led force composed of Kurds and Arab, combat remnants of the Islamic State.
Iraqi Kurdish officials speaking not for attribution told Al-Monitor that international personnel working directly with the US-led coalition in northeast Syria would have permanent access in and out of Iraqi Kurdistan but that they would have to regularly provide updated lists of those individuals for vetting.
