AMMAN (Dispatches) – The border crossing between Jordan and Syria will reopen on Monday after being closed for three years, the two countries said on Sunday after weeks of talks.
In July, the Syrian government forces regained control of the checkpoint, during a weeks-long Russian-backed offensive to drive terrorists from their stronghold in southwest Syria, captured by terrorists in early 2015.
The border crossing plays a crucial role in the transit of goods among Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and the countries of the Persian Gulf.
Technical teams from the two countries met on the Jordanian side on Sunday and agreed on the final arrangements to open the crossing from Oct. 15, said Jordanian government spokeswoman Jumana Ghunaimat.
However, although the crossing will be officially opened on Monday, it will not open to normal traffic just yet, said Nael Husami, head of the Amman chamber of industry.
Syrian state television also cited Interior Minister Mohammed al-Shaar as saying the border crossing and roads leading to it were being renovated.
Earlier, the Syrian official said that the main road to the checkpoint has been restored, while the premises for the preliminary accommodation of the administration are being equipped and the main building is being renovated.
Syria’s only other normally operating border is with Lebanon.