Jordan reopens border post with Syria after 3 years

Jordan on Monday, October, 15 reopened its main border crossing with war-torn Syria, a key Middle East trade route, after a three year closure. 

The black metal border gate was opened from the Jordanian side of the crossing at 8am as more than a dozen police and customs officials stood nearby.

According to an AFP Photographer, Several cars bearing Jordanian license plates queued to enter Syria, as travellers expressed their joy at being able to cross the border.

Jordanian taxi driver Imad Sariheen called the reopening of Jaber a source of "great happiness for all of us" which will help ease "economic hardships" caused by the closure of the crossing. Our conditions have worsened over the past years. Our work (driving taxis) was halted because of the closure of the border between Jordan and Syria

The border crossing, known as Jaber on the Jordanian side and Nassib on the Syrian side, was a key trade route before Amman closed it after the post was overrun by rebels in April 2015.

The crossing was a major link not only for direct trade between the neighbouring countries, but also for longer-distance transit, which was a significant source of revenue.

The reopening comes after Syrian government troops retook their side of the crossing in July under a deal with rebel fighters brokered by Moscow.