The Israeli-Syrian ‘Quneitra’ border-crossing, which is operated by the United Nations, was reopened today for the first time in four years. The border-crossing has been closed for the last four years after Islamist groups seized control of the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, in the course of the Syrian civil war. With the return of Assad’s military to the area, Israel decided to reopen the border crossing, which served as the only connection point between the two enemy states. That said, at this stage, only UN forces will be allowed to use the crossing, and it will not be open for the passage of goods and people, as was the case in the past. It is important to note that also Jordan decided to re-open its border-crossing with Syria today after three years of closure, following an agreement that was reached between Amman and Damascus. Jordan’s government spokeswoman Jumana Ghunaimat stated that the border-crossing served as “a crucial artery of trade between Jordan and Syria and transit to other countries,” while Syria’s interior minister Mohammad al-Sha’ar hailed the move as a new slate in relations between the two countries.
