So far, there has only been one border crossing open, which has severely limited deliveries of necessary aid to the earthquake-stricken country.
Assad has now approved the opening of the crossings between Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra’ee, Guterres said in a statement after UN aid chief Martin Griffiths met the Syrian president in Damascus on Monday.
The decision means that the UN can now use a total of three border crossings from Turkey to reach the northwestern territory.
“Opening these crossings – while facilitating humanitarian access, speeding up visa approvals and facilitating travel between hubs – will enable more aid to be delivered faster,” Guterres said.
“Breach of sovereignty”
The Syrian government has opposed the shipments across the border, describing it as a violation of its sovereignty.
SVT’s Turkey correspondent Thomas Thorén told more on Sunday about how the civil war in Syria has affected the decisions regarding aid. See the clip below.