عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Jordan's Jaber Border Crossing with Syria Reopens for Cargo Traffic

Jordanian border crossing, Jaber is seen in the city of Mafraq, Jordan July 7, 2018. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Jordanian border crossing, Jaber is seen in the city of Mafraq, Jordan July 7, 2018. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
    Amman, London - Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
TT

Jordan's Jaber Border Crossing with Syria Reopens for Cargo Traffic

Jordanian border crossing, Jaber is seen in the city of Mafraq, Jordan July 7, 2018. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Jordanian border crossing, Jaber is seen in the city of Mafraq, Jordan July 7, 2018. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Jordan's Jaber Border Crossing with Syria reopened for cargo movement Wednesday, after its temporary closure over security issues on the Syrian side.

President of the Association of Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies Daif Allah Abu Aqouleh said that back-to-back shipment is being applied for Syria and Lebanon imports, as well as Jordanian exports, until further notice.

He announced the official approval of resuming cargo movement from and to Jaber Border Crossing.

On Saturday, Jordan temporarily closed the border crossing for passengers and goods due to the security developments in south Syria, in addition to violent clashes that killed 28 on Thursday.

Amman announced Wednesday that it will resume operations at the crossing as of Sunday, after one year of limited operations due to the COVID pandemic.

Jaber Border Crossing is the main crossing between Jordan and Syria and is a key economic driver through which Jordanian goods pass to Turkey, Lebanon, and Europe.

It was closed in mid-2015 as a result of the Syrian conflict, causing grave damage to the Kingdom with whom trade reached $615 million in 2010.

The crossing was reopened in October 2018, and trade between the two countries hit $108.7 million in 2020.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Middle East Must Emerge from Turbulence with Peace and Horizon of Hope, UN Chief Says

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses to members of the Security Council about the Middle East situation, including the Palestinian Question at UN Headquarters in New York City, US, January 20, 2025. (Reuters)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses to members of the Security Council about the Middle East situation, including the Palestinian Question at UN Headquarters in New York City, US, January 20, 2025. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Middle East Must Emerge from Turbulence with Peace and Horizon of Hope, UN Chief Says

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses to members of the Security Council about the Middle East situation, including the Palestinian Question at UN Headquarters in New York City, US, January 20, 2025. (Reuters)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses to members of the Security Council about the Middle East situation, including the Palestinian Question at UN Headquarters in New York City, US, January 20, 2025. (Reuters)

The United Nations chief says the Middle East is undergoing a “profound transformation” and has urged all countries to ensure the region emerges from the turbulence with peace and “a horizon of hope grounded in action.”

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a ministerial meeting of the UN Security Council Monday that “a new dawn is rising in Lebanon,” which he just visited. He said it was vital that Israeli troops withdraw from southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army deploy there as required in the ceasefire agreement.

In Gaza, he urged Israel and Hamas to ensure that their newly agreed deal leads to a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages taken by Hamas and other militants during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel.

The ceasefire must also lead to four simultaneous actions on the ground, Guterres said.

Unhindered UN access including by the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA which Israel is seeking to ban is essential, he said, as well as scaled-up aid deliveries, Palestinians’ access to aid, and protection of civilians.

Guterres expressed deep concern about “an existential threat to the integrity and contiguity” of Gaza and the West Bank – key pieces of a future Palestinian state – from Israeli actions and “unabated illegal settlement expansion.”

“Senior Israeli officials openly speak of formally annexing all or part of the West Bank in the coming months,” he said. “Any such annexation would constitute a most serious violation of international law.”

The secretary-general said Syria “stands at a crossroads of history” and told the council, “We cannot let the flame of hope turn into an inferno of chaos.”

He stressed the need for a Syrian-led political transition, and “much more significant work in addressing sanctions and designations” especially in light of the country’s urgent economic needs.