Jordan-Syria border crossing set to reopen

By Laith Al-jnaidi, Cagri Kosak

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) – Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya has announced the re-opening of the Jaber border crossing between Jordan and neighboring Syria as of Wednesday.

Monday’s announcement comes almost two months since the closure of the border terminal due to military escalations in the southwestern Daraa province.

Al-Faraya said technical and logistical preparations will be completed before the border terminal is open to the movement of passengers and goods.

"This decision was taken in order to ensure trade and tourism mobility by applying the necessary safety and health measures," he said in a statement.

On July 31, Jordan shut the Jaber border crossing with Syria, two days after Syrian regime forces and Iranian-backed militias launched a ground operation in Daraa, triggering clashes that spread across the countryside.

Daraa al-Balad was blockaded by regime forces on June 25 after residents, including former members of the Syrian opposition, resisted an order to surrender their light weapons and allow regime forces to search houses in the area.

The border became completely unusable due to clashes between Syrian regime forces and the opposition.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar