Jordan-Syria Nasib-Jaber Crossing Reopens After One-Day Closure

Travellers and freight operators using the only land link between Jordan and Syria can cross again: the Nasib-Jaber border crossing reopened on Wednesday, a day after it was shut following Jordanian airstrikes in southern Syria. Syria said traffic through the crossing had returned to normal after Tuesday's closure.

The reopening came as the two governments moved to deal with the fallout from the strikes. Syrian foreign affairs chief Asaad al-Shaibani and Jordan's minister of foreign affairs and expatriates, Ayman Safadi, agreed during a telephone call to set up a joint security committee, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported early Wednesday.

Key facts

• Nasib-Jaber is the only open crossing for passenger and commercial traffic between Jordan and Syria.
• The crossing was closed on Tuesday and reopened on Wednesday; Syria said traffic has returned to normal.
• Jordanian airstrikes hit several locations in southern Syria on Monday evening.
• Syria and Jordan agreed to establish a joint security committee, SANA reported.
• The two sides also agreed their security authorities would coordinate directly against terrorism and cross-border arms and drug smuggling.

Why was the crossing closed?

The closure followed Jordanian airstrikes on several locations in southern Syria on Monday evening. The strikes reportedly killed seven civilians, including three children, and injured three others.

Jordan said the raids targeted hideouts belonging to armed terrorist groups and neutralized more than 20 gunmen. Jordan's Armed Forces identified the targets as Islamic State militants and said the operation was carried out in coordination with Damascus.

Syrian authorities disputed that account of the coordination. Damascus said it had not been consulted beforehand and objected to military operations conducted inside Syrian territory without advance consultation.

Why did Jordan act?

Jordan linked its military action to a deadly attack during a church funeral in Karak governorate last Friday. According to the Jordanian military, those responsible for the attack had ties to terrorist organizations operating in southern Syria.

What did the two governments agree?

During their call, Safadi conveyed his condolences to the families of those killed in the Jordanian strikes and expressed deep regret over the civilian casualties. The two officials agreed that their countries' security authorities should coordinate directly in efforts against terrorism and cross-border arms and drug smuggling, and both reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close relations between Jordan and Syria.

What this means for travellers

Passenger and commercial traffic between Jordan and Syria is again moving through Nasib-Jaber, the only open crossing between the two countries. Anyone planning to use the route should confirm the crossing's status before travelling, since it was closed and reopened within a day this week.

No further details on the joint security committee, including its composition or start date, have been announced.