Rights group: Syria hindering aid by preventing passage through rebel-held border crossings

BEIRUT – An international rights group says Syria is obstructing aid to war-torn areas by denying aid agencies a formal permission to transport aid through rebel-held border crossings.

Human Rights Watch said Friday that Damascus' actions violate a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding all parties allow access for aid groups.

The New York-based group says Syrian officials are only allowing aid organizations to use the one remaining border crossing with Turkey — near the northern city of Qamishli — that's still in government hands.

U.N. agencies by rule don't cross borders without government permission, even if a government isn't in control of a certain area or crossing.

Human Rights Watch says aid agencies need to use rebel-held crossings with Turkey and Jordan to reach some 3 million of Syrians in opposition areas.