AMMAN — Hundreds of trucks, commercial vehicles, and passenger buses piled up on the road leading to the Jaber Border Crossing on Tuesday, following a decision by the Syrian General Authority for Land and Sea Borders to close the Nassib border crossing in both directions.

 

Vehicles backed up along a 3-kilometre stretch after being barred from entering the Jaber crossing, according to Al Mamlaka TV.

 

Refrigerated trucks carrying perishable goods remained parked for hours since dawn, raising serious concerns among drivers over potential cargo damage.

 

The closure decision follows Royal Jordanian Air Force airstrikes targeting positions in southern Syria on Monday, alongside unverified reports circulating regarding attacks on Jordanian vehicles near the Nassib crossing.

 

Meanwhile, President of the Association of Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies Daifallah Abu Aqoula told Al Mamlaka TV on Tuesday that the closure of the Nassib border crossing on the Syrian side is affecting freight movement between Jordan and Syria, with concerns over delays, higher transport costs and potential losses for traders.

 

Abu Aqoula said that the Jaber border customs centre remains operational, with no decision to close it announced so far, warning that a prolonged closure of Nassib could affect freight movement, particularly if it lasts more than two or three days.

 

Freight transport between the two countries had been operating under a “back-to-back” system at the Nassib customs centre, which requires representatives and specialists to oversee the unloading and transfer of goods. Syrian authorities have removed customs clearance agents and workers from the centre, leaving only government agencies, Abu Aqoula added.

 

Large numbers of trucks remain at the Nassib and Jaber customs centres, while others are waiting at the gates of Jaber. Meanwhile, goods unloaded at Aqaba Port are awaiting customs clearance and transport to Syria, raising concerns over further delays if the closure continues, he said.

 

He noted that around 1,500 shipments pass through the Jaber customs centre daily, including incoming and outgoing lorries, whether loaded or empty.

 

Abu Aqoula warned that continued closure could affect perishable goods and increase transport costs, although refrigerated shipments can be kept for weeks.

 

He added that the delays could also affect goods at ports and other border crossings, as well as cargo arriving by air, including refrigerated and perishable goods.

 

Abu Aqoula expressed hope that the Nassib crossing would reopen on Wednesday, allowing freight movement to resume as normal and preventing further disruption to shipments destined for Syria.

 

He said that the relevant Syrian authorities were capable of assessing the security situation and taking the necessary decisions to ensure the movement of goods and passengers, noting the presence of large numbers of Jordanians in Damascus and other Syrian governorates, as well as the trade and social ties between the two countries.

 

Abu Aqoula stressed the need to reopen the crossing as soon as possible to limit the impact on transport operators, traders and trade between Jordan and Syria.

 

Later on Tuesday, passenger buses were allowed entry into Syria following the closure of the border crossing, according to Al Mamlaka TV.