Syria approves aid into opposition areas
The Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad has approved international aid being delivered to rebel-held areas northwest of the country.
"The Council of Ministers approves... the delivery of humanitarian aid to all parts of the Syrian Arab Republic," said a cabinet statement on Friday.
Damascus said assistance would arrive to those who need it most with the help of the UN, the Syrian Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Prior to the announcement, the only path for international aid to arrive into rebel territory was through the Bab al-Hawa crossing between Syria's Idlib province and southern Turkey.
That crossing had been closed for several days due to the earthquake impacting guard officials in Turkey's Hatay province.
However, fourteen truckloads of UN aid were delivered through the crossing today, according to Anadolu Agency.