Jordanian authorities reopened the "Jaber-Nasib" border crossing with Syria on Wednesday for the movement of cargo and travelers. The Jordanian Minister of Interior, Mazen Al-Farayah, decided to reopen the border after taking "technical and logistical measures related to reopening this center."
The Ministry of Interior stated in a press release that this decision comes "to facilitate trade and tourism movement between the two brotherly countries while considering the required security and health measures." They added that this move "came upon the directives of the Prime Minister during his visit to the Jaber border center on July 8."
Al-Farayah confirmed in a statement to the Al-Mamlaka channel that Jordanians do not need prior approval to enter Syria. He stated, "After the security recommendation to resume Jordanian movement to Syria, there is no longer a need for citizens to obtain permission from the Ministry of Interior for departure to Syria." He noted that "the security assessment shows that the situation is stable on the Syrian side currently and allows for Jordanian movement towards Syria."
In a related context, Minister of Transport Wajih Azayza announced that Royal Jordanian Airlines will resume flights to Syria starting next Sunday, adhering to health protocols. Azayza mentioned in a press statement on Tuesday that "travelers must bring a negative PCR test from certified Syrian laboratories taken 72 hours prior, in addition to undergoing a test upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and not leaving the airport until a negative COVID-19 test result appears."
Jordan closed the crossing on July 31 due to "developments in the security situation on the Syrian side." Jordan and Syria are linked by two main border crossings, which are Ramtha and Jaber. The Jaber-Nasib crossing had been closed for three years before reopening in October 2018. In August 2020, Jordan reclosed the crossing due to rising COVID-19 cases recorded at the border before partially reopening it later.
The decisions by Jordan come after several governmental and official meetings with the Syrian side, the latest of which was a meeting between Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh and a delegation from the Syrian government on Tuesday. During the meeting, which was attended by several Jordanian ministers, Al-Khasawneh emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperative and coordination relations between Jordan and Syria in various fields to serve the common interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples, according to the official Jordanian news agency "Petra." Al-Khasawneh pointed out the "necessity for the recent meetings and visits between the two countries to translate into projects that benefit both peoples and contribute to strengthening the historical bonds of love and brotherhood that unite Jordan and Syria."
