Jordan lifts pre-approval requirement for overland travel to Syria

By Laith Al-Jnaidi and Mohammad Sio

AMMAN, Jordan / ISTANBUL (AA) – Jordan said Sunday that its citizens no longer need prior approval to travel overland to Syria, marking a shift in travel regulations amid warming ties between the two neighbors.

Jordanians can now travel through the Jaber border crossing without needing pre-clearance, unless security restrictions apply, the official Al-Mamlaka TV said, citing a statement from the Interior Ministry.

The ministry said the change aligns with procedures at other border points and is effective immediately.

Jordan and Syria are connected by two main border crossings. The al-Gumrok al-Qadim crossing, opposite Jordan's Ramtha, remains inactive due to conflict-related damage. The active route is the Syrian Nassib crossing, which links to Jordan’s Jaber crossing.

The move follows a visit to Damascus last week by Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, who led an official delegation to sign an agreement establishing a “Higher Coordination Council” between the two nations.

The policy shift comes amid major political changes in Syria after Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period in January.