Turkiye-Syria Border Gate to Reopen After 12-Year Closure
One of the border crossings between Turkiye and Syria is set to reopen on Tuesday, ending a 12-year closure.
Istanbul: One of the border crossings between Turkiye and Syria is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, marking the end of a 12-year closure, according to local officials.
The Akcakale crossing, situated approximately in the middle of Turkiye's 900-kilometer (550-mile) border with Syria, will resume operations following Damascus's efforts towards normalization with its neighbors.
The crossing, located just over the border from Tal Abyad in northern Syria, was closed by Turkiye in 2014 after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) gained control of the town following the defeat of Daesh group militants.
Turkiye has consistently regarded the SDF as linked to the Kurdish militant PKK and perceived as a significant threat along its southern border.
In 2019, the crossing was partially reopened for trade, funerals, and the passage of government officials after a Turkish military operation targeting Daesh extremists and Kurdish fighters.
The recent decision will now allow civilians to cross as well.
The Sanliurfa governor's office issued a statement indicating that, 'in light of the normalization of life in the region,' entry and exit procedures using passports for travel between Syria and Turkiye via the Akcakale Land Border Crossing will commence on Tuesday.
This move is expected to bring the total number of open crossings between the two countries to six.
Turkiye has established close ties with Syria's new rulers, with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa attending a diplomacy forum in Turkiye's southern Antalya resort in April.
The Akcakale crossing, situated approximately in the middle of Turkiye's 900-kilometer (550-mile) border with Syria, will resume operations following Damascus's efforts towards normalization with its neighbors.
The crossing, located just over the border from Tal Abyad in northern Syria, was closed by Turkiye in 2014 after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) gained control of the town following the defeat of Daesh group militants.
Turkiye has consistently regarded the SDF as linked to the Kurdish militant PKK and perceived as a significant threat along its southern border.
In 2019, the crossing was partially reopened for trade, funerals, and the passage of government officials after a Turkish military operation targeting Daesh extremists and Kurdish fighters.
The recent decision will now allow civilians to cross as well.
The Sanliurfa governor's office issued a statement indicating that, 'in light of the normalization of life in the region,' entry and exit procedures using passports for travel between Syria and Turkiye via the Akcakale Land Border Crossing will commence on Tuesday.
This move is expected to bring the total number of open crossings between the two countries to six.
Turkiye has established close ties with Syria's new rulers, with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa attending a diplomacy forum in Turkiye's southern Antalya resort in April.
