Opposition Group Says Military Confiscate Humanitarian Relief Supplies

Large amounts of UN relief and humanitarian supplies were found on the premises of al-Mastumah, a military camp seized by allied rebel groups on May 21, according to footage released by the Syrian National Coalition. Footage from the opposition umbrella group on May 28 shows various relief supplies marked with UNHCR, WFP, Red Cross logos, described as holding stationary, food supplies, mattresses and blankets and other humanitarian aid.

The speaker can be heard saying, “We urge the UN to reconsider where this aid is ending up, they are sending this aid to combatants who are fighting against aid and humanity.”

On May 21, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, had addressed the claims saying the UN was concerned by the possibility that aid was being diverted, and that it would investigate the images further.

The video, subtitled in English, shows the entrance of al-Mastumah base, between al-Mastumah and Arihah, which was formerly used by the Baath Vanguards, a Baathist youth organization. The group’s logo is seen on the outer walls of the camp in the video. A masked man speaks over footage showing UNHCR boxes and tents in an unidentified location.

We are unable to independently confirm the claims made in this video. Though parts of the footage were filmed in al-Matsumah camp, it is not possible to geolocate the sections which show the UN- and Red Crescent-marked materials. Credit: Syrian National Coalition