United Nations, Jul 11 (AP) The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday failed to approve either of two rival resolutions authorizing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria's rebel-held northwest from neighbouring Turkey, officially ending a U.N. operation that was vital to helping 4.1 million people.

Russia vetoed a compromise resolution that would have extended the operation through the Bab al-Hawa crossing for nine months, and which was supported by 13 of the 15 council members. A rival Russian resolution that would have extended the aid deliveries for six months but added new requirements failed to get the minimum nine “yes” votes for approval.

Also Read | India: How Climate Change is Causing an Environmental Crisis.

The delivery of aid to the Idlib area has increased significantly following the devastation caused by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that ravaged southern Turkey and northwestern Syria on Feb. 8.

Syrian President Bashar Assad opened two additional crossing points from Turkey to increase the flow of assistance to quake victims, and he extended their operation for three months in May until mid-August.

Also Read | China Says Its Foreign Minister Qin Gang Is Ill, a Senior Diplomat Will Take His Place at ASEAN.

Those crossings were not mentioned in either resolution and Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia indicated they will remain open for now. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)