Aid to Starving Syrians Delayed

The International Red Cross states that a food and medical aid convoy for famine-stricken areas in Syria has been delayed at least until Monday due to "technical issues." Doctors Without Borders has reported deaths among war victims due to food shortages. On January 7, the Syrian government agreed to allow aid to cities where residents are at risk of mass starvation due to military sieges. The World Food Program is set to deliver aid and food supplies to tens of thousands who have resorted to eating tree leaves in recent weeks. Aside from the "technical issues" mentioned by the Red Cross, the reason for the delay in aid delivery to famine-stricken areas is unclear. The World Food Program trucks are ready to be sent to the famine-stricken areas. The two Shiite cities of Foua and Kefraya have been besieged by government-opposing rebels for nearly a year, while the Sunni city of Madaya has been under siege by government forces since summer. Madaya and its surrounding areas have a population of at least 40,000, and at least 30,000 Syrian citizens live in the Shiite cities. The New York Times reports that residents of Madaya have turned to eating tree leaves, cats, and the remaining donkeys. Doctors Without Borders has stated that at least 28 people, including six children, have died from hunger in the past month. Various reports have emerged regarding military actions by Syrian government forces, creating famine and hunger in besieged cities to force rebels to surrender. Food, water, medicine, electricity, and fuel run out quickly in many besieged cities, leading to the deaths of many citizens. The United Nations plans to hold a new round of talks to resolve the Syrian crisis on January 25, two weeks from now. Some Western officials and international representatives have expressed concern about the impact of new tensions between Tehran and Riyadh on the Syrian talks. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia have stated that the crisis between them will not affect negotiations. Even before the latest diplomatic crisis in West Asia, negotiations to end the Syrian civil war had not yielded results. In this context, seven more Iranian soldiers were killed in Syria. Syrian observers report that a member of ISIS executed his mother in public. De Mistura stated that tensions between Tehran and Riyadh will not affect the resolution of the Syrian crisis. Zarif said that Saudi Arabia's strategy is to continue and escalate tensions in the region.