UN extends cross-border aid to Syria but scaled back by Moscow

The UN Security Council voted Friday to extend cross border aid to Syria but under pressure from Russia drastically scaled back the program that has been helping the war-ravaged country since 2014. The assistance is being prolonged for six months and deliveries will be made from only two points along Syria's border with Turkey.

After a series of concessions by Western countries since late December, a resolution extending the aid was passed by 11 votes in favor and four abstentions: Russia, China, the United States, and Britain. Until now the aid had been extended yearly and deliveries were made from four points along the border. The existing mandate was to expire Friday.