The United Nations on Tuesday welcomed the extension of Syria's authorization for two border crossings through which it can deliver aid to the northwest of the country from Türkiye.

The world body received a letter from the Syrian government on Sunday, which extended the permission for Bab al-Salam and al-Ra'ee border crossings for another three months, till November 13, said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"We greatly welcome the extension of permission by the government of Syria," he said.

The two crossings were opened for an initial period of three months in the aftermath of the February earthquakes that struck Syria and Türkiye. The authorization has been renewed several times.

Haq also said the United Nations stands ready to resume aid operations through Bab al-Hawa, also on the Turkish border, as soon as possible.

The Security Council in July failed to re-authorize the cross-border humanitarian aid delivery mechanism through Bab al-Hawa. The Syrian government had since offered to grant permission for aid delivery through the border crossing. The United Nations were in talks with Damascus over the details of the permission.

Haq said Tuesday that the United Nations has received a letter from the Syrian government concerning Bab al-Hawa.

"We're working with the government of Syria to resolve any issues. ... I don't have a confirmation to give at this point of being able to use Bab al-Hawa. But we're in talks with them, and we'll see what progress we can make," he added. "At this stage, we're still working to resolve those obstacles. We're hopeful that we can do so and we do stand ready to resume operations if those obstacles are overcome."

Before its closure in July, Bab al-Hawa handled 85 percent of aid deliveries to Northwest Syria, where rebels are fighting government forces.

(Cover: Trucks carrying UN relief goods enter Syria from Türkiye through Bab al-Salam border crossing, February 9, 2023. /CFP)