Enab Baladi – Jana al-Issa
The reopening of land crossings between Syria and neighboring countries represents a window for improving market movement, which, in turn, reflects positively on the national economy as Syria begins to be used as a transit area between several countries.
Previously, the operation of commercial traffic was hindered due to the multitude of controlling parties over different areas in Syria. However, the liberation of Syria and the current control of the Damascus government over a larger area suggests a return of this traffic to and from the Gulf countries or to and from Turkey, at the very least.
The return of these lifelines for the Syrian economy could establish a cornerstone for a partial economic recovery in the crossings file, positively impacting the state’s treasury.
Strategic location, A pivotal player
Syria occupies a strategic location that makes it an important transit hub between Asia, Europe, and the Gulf countries. Historically, Syrian land routes have been essential for trade movement between these countries, and the transit movement has generated significant revenues from customs fees and passage fees to the state treasury.
Transit is a term used to refer to the movement of goods or people through a certain country or area, without that country or area being the final destination.
In the context of trade and transport, transit is academically defined as the process of moving goods or passengers across the territory of an intermediary country between the country of origin and the final destination country, with the application of specific customs procedures ensuring that these goods or passengers are not affected by the economic laws or local taxes of the intermediary country.
Transit goods are subject to specific customs procedures known as “customs transit,” and no internal taxes or fees are imposed on them except for that. It also requires appropriate infrastructure such as highways, railways, and ports.
The economic importance of transit is highlighted by its provision of income to intermediary countries through transit fees, and logistically, it reduces transportation costs and enhances connectivity between international markets, making the intermediary country a pivotal player in regional and international trade, thus underscoring its geopolitical importance.
Jordanian statements
After the regime’s fall, Jordan expressed a clear desire to revive transit trade through Syria. Sultan Alaan, a member of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce and the head of the Clothing, Fabrics, and Footwear Traders Association, stated that enhancing transit trade between Jordan and Syria represents a promising opportunity for the Kingdom to benefit from its strategic position as the only safe southern gateway for southern Syria.
On December 18, 2024, Jordanian trucks began to enter Syrian territory directly through the Nassib-Jaber border crossing to deliver goods, in a move aimed at strengthening commercial movement between the two countries, after Syrian authorities allowed the option of delivering goods directly to traders without the need to switch transport vehicles at the crossing.
Conditional return
The differences among controlling parties were among the main reasons preventing transit trade, in addition to the existence of internal crossings that mainly obstruct the smooth passage of this trade.
Political economist Yahya al-Sayed Omar noted that there is currently no need for crossings between state regions, as the continuation of their existence between Aleppo and Idlib hinders commercial and economic work, negatively affecting individuals.
In a statement to Enab Baladi, al-Sayed Omar emphasized that abolishing internal crossings is an economic and social necessity, and their removal will have a positive impact on production costs, as any fees imposed by these crossings will lead to an increase in prices, contrary to the economic policy that the government aspires to achieve.
The government seeks to facilitate work and production, promoting economic indicators, which requires an easy flow of goods between state regions, according to the researcher.
Regarding the return of transit trade in Syria between Turkey and the Gulf countries, it is expected, as affirmed by researcher Yahya al-Sayed Omar, but he believes that its return will not be in the near term.
The researcher justified his opinion by stating that the return of transit trade requires complete security stability and the maintenance of the country’s main roads, which takes some time and needs financing that the government currently lacks.
When this is achieved, it will positively affect the Syrian economy in terms of anticipated revenues from crossings with Turkey and Jordan, especially the Nassib crossing, which is considered the most important crossing in the Middle East, with a monthly income of no less than $100 million, according to Al-Sayed Omar.
The researcher added that this trade enhances the connection of the Syrian economy with regional economies, which promotes a rapid recovery and encourages foreign investments.
Turkish desire
Dr. Firas Shaabo, an expert in financial and banking sciences, stated that the presence of crossings between the provinces previously was illegal or illogical, and it is natural for them to be abolished after the return of control to one party.
In a statement to Enab Baladi, Shaabo explained that the effect of this will be positive for all provinces regarding resource exchange, which will significantly uplift the economy.
Regarding the movement of transit trade through Syria, researcher Firas Shaabo expects a strong return, especially for those coming to and from Turkey, as Turkey has been seeking for years to reopen the main land routes due to its losses in the Gulf market.
It is in Turkey’s full interest to mobilize trade from Turkish cities and states to the Nassib crossing, which would revive the Turkish market and goods while the Syrian government will receive its share of this revival through fees it will collect for passing trade through its territory, according to Shaabo.
Furthermore, the Syrian state could benefit from these crossings to obtain assistance in all sectors, and their return will also revitalize the economic situation, secure job opportunities, and revitalize the regions that transit trade will pass through.
However, this will only happen after ensuring the safety of international roads, as noted by Shaabo, adding that this will not be difficult but is a priority for the new government that seeks to revive the country economically.
Crossings linking Syria to neighboring countries
Syria has about 12 land crossings connecting Syrian territory with neighboring countries (Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq), some of which are fully operational, while a few have ceased operations since 2011, without any official announcement so far about their reactivation.
Syria is connected to Turkey through several crossings, including the Bab al-Hawa crossing in Idlib, the Bab al-Salama and Jarablus crossings in the Aleppo countryside, and the Tel Abyad crossing in Raqqa province, which connects it to Şanlıurfa province in Turkey.
With Lebanon, there are more than four crossings, the first being the Jdeidet Yabous-Masnaa crossing, which is the most important land crossing located on the road connecting Damascus and Beirut, in addition to the Dabousiyeh, Arida, and Tal Kalakh crossings.
Syria is connected to Iraq through three crossings, the most prominent being the al-Bukamal-al-Qaim crossing, which links Deir Ezzor province with Anbar province in Iraq, the al-Yaarubiyah-Rabiah crossing, linking al-Hasakah province with Nineveh Plain in Iraq, and the al-Tanf crossing in the desert, which was previously used for transporting goods.
With Jordan, there are two crossings: the Nassib-Jaber crossing, which is the main crossing between the two countries linking Daraa province to Jordan, and the Ramtha crossing, which is a relatively small crossing that was previously used for travel movement.