UN says aid delays to rebel-held Syria caused by militant groups

A UN spokesperson said earthquake aid from government-held parts of Syria into territory controlled by opposition is being held up by approval issues with the hardline group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. 

A spokesperson for the UN's humanitarian aid office told Reuters "there are issues with approval" by HTS without further information.

A UN spokesperson in Damascus declined to comment, saying the UN "continues to work with relevant parties to have access to the area".

An HTS source in Idlib told Reuters the group would not allow shipments from government-held parts of Syria and that aid would be coming from Turkey to the north.

"Turkey has opened all the roads and we won't allow the regime to take advantage of the situation to show they are helping," the source said.