By Ahmed Asmar
The Syrian authorities announced Sunday evening the reopening of the Al-Arida border crossing with Lebanon on Tuesday, ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday.
“We kindly inform travelers that the Al-Arida border crossing with Lebanon will open for passenger movement on Tuesday morning,” Syria’s Land and Sea Ports General Authority said in a statement.
The authority added that the decision was made “despite ongoing restoration and maintenance work, in order to facilitate the movement of residents during the Eid al-Adha holiday,” which begins Friday.
Located between the village of Al-Arida in Lebanon’s northern Akkar Governorate and Syria’s western Tartus Governorate, the crossing has undergone maintenance by Syrian authorities as part of rehabilitation efforts.
Beirut has also carried out repairs on the Lebanese side of the crossing after it was targeted by Israeli airstrikes during the latest conflict between Lebanon and Israel last September.
No official statement has been issued by Lebanese authorities regarding the reopening.
The move is expected to ease travel for families and trade between the two countries during the holiday period.
Lebanon and Syria are connected by six official border crossings: Jdeidet Yabous, Dabousiyah, Jusiyah, Talkalakh, Matribah, and Al-Arida.