Syrian administration assumes control of northern Aleppo border crossings

The new Syrian administration has assumed control of border crossings in the northern Aleppo countryside in coordination with Türkiye, according to the Syrian General Authority for Land and Sea Ports.

Mazen Alloush, director of Public Relations at the authority, announced Saturday that “as of this morning, these crossings are now fully managed by the new Syrian government.” His remarks were reported by the state-run news agency SANA.

The crossings include Jarablus, Al-Rai, Bab Al-Salama, and Al-Hamam, which have historically been critical for trade, humanitarian aid, and migration. The handover followed a meeting between officials from the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports and a delegation from Türkiye representing multiple government-affiliated entities.

The move comes as in the region’s political and administrative reorganization following the ouster of Bashar Assad’s regime. Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8 after anti-regime forces captured Damascus. The rapid fall of the Baath Party’s decades-long rule was precipitated by a swift offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters, who seized control of major cities in under two weeks.

The new administration has undertaken a series of measures to restructure official institutions across Syria. Control of key infrastructure, including border crossings, is viewed as central to consolidating the government’s authority and ensuring stability in newly governed regions.

The role of Türkiye, a long-time player in the Syrian conflict, stands pivotal in facilitating this transition. While the details of the agreement remain unclear, the collaboration signifies Ankara’s continued influence in northern Syria and its relationship with the emerging Syrian leadership.