Qatar’s emir said on Sunday he was puzzled by the delay in delivering aid to victims of last month’s earthquakes in Syria, adding that it was wrong to misuse humanitarian aid for political purposes, in an apparent blow to the government. Sirius.
Qatar was among several regional states that backed rebels in Syria’s civil war and has previously spoken out against efforts by some countries to normalize ties with Damascus.
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, speaking at the opening of the United Nations conference of least developed countries in Doha, stressed the need to help Syrians «without hesitation» and support Turkey’s efforts to recover from the devastating earthquake.
The death toll in Turkey has risen to more than 45,000, bringing the total death toll, including Syria, to about 51,000. In Syria, the northwestern region controlled by rebels at war with President Bashar al-Assad was hardest hit.
«While wondering about the delay in the arrival of aid to this (Syrian) people, I stress that exploiting a human tragedy for political purposes is unacceptable,» Sheikh Tamim said.
The United Nations has called for access by all parties in Syria, already ravaged by years of civil war, to ramp up aid deliveries.
Relief agencies complain about the Damascus government’s restrictions, which they say politicize aid distribution. Other aid agencies say hardline rebels have blocked aid deliveries from government-controlled parts of Syria, further complicating efforts.
Qatar has been providing aid to the Syrians through Turkey, while other Gulf states, such as the United Arab Emirates, have sent humanitarian supplies directly.
Doha, like Washington, has voiced opposition to any move to rehabilitate or normalize ties with Assad, citing his government’s brutality during the conflict and the need to see progress toward a political solution.