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Reopening of the Kisbe Border Crossing Between Turkey and Syria After 14 Years
Turkish authorities have announced the reopening of the Kisbe border crossing with Syria after 14 years of closure, in a move aimed at facilitating the return of Syrians to their homeland amid what has been described as eased procedures.
In this context, Ahmed Hussain, a data entry clerk at the Kisbe crossing, explained that the crossing sees between 150 to 200 people cross daily. He added that "the entry procedures are simple and facilitated," involving a stamp for entering Syrian territory and the registration of personal data for all family members, regardless of their nationalities or Turkish identities.
The Kisbe crossing is one of several crossings that connect Syria with Turkey, such as the Ceylanpınar (Bab al-Hawa), Yayladağı (Kisbe), Öncüpınar (Bab al-Salama), and the Afrin crossing. It has been closed since the beginning of the revolution in Syria in 2011 but has now returned as an active corridor due to political and regional changes.
Many Syrians hope that the reopening of the crossing will alleviate their burdens, whether in returning to their homeland or facilitating travel between the two countries, as Turkey continues its efforts to organize the return of refugees.
Earlier, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya revealed four detailed steps that Syrians in Turkey must follow for a safe and voluntary return to their homeland. During a meeting with Anadolu Agency, he emphasized the Turkish authorities' commitment to easing return procedures through six crossings, including Ceylanpınar in Hatay, Öncüpınar in Kilis, Yayladağı in Hatay, Karkamış in Gaziantep, Zeytin Dalı in Hatay, and Akçakale in Şanlıurfa.
It was also announced that an immigration management office would be established at the Ankara Embassy in Damascus and its consulate in Aleppo to facilitate the return procedures of Syrians, including providing options for transporting their belongings and vehicles.
