Syria announces temporary border rules with Turkey amid Israel-Iran conflict

Syria's General Authority for Land and Maritime Border Crossings has announced temporary regulations at Syria-Turkey border crossings in response to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. 

Following the suspension of flights between the two countries, Mazen Alloush, Director of Domestic and International Relations, confirmed that the countries will introduce new rules to manage the flow of travellers. 

In a statement on Facebook, he said: "We have officially informed the Turkish side of a set of new temporary measures that will be adopted to regulate the passage of individuals through the land border crossings between Syria and Turkey."

Under the new regulations, Turkish nationals who entered Syria by air will be allowed to leave through land border crossings, provided they carry both their national identity cards and the flight tickets used for entry.  Syrian residents in Turkey will also be affected by the new rules.

"Syrian citizens who have valid legal residency in Turkey will also be allowed to enter, provided they present their Turkish residency cards and airline tickets proving their entry by air," Alloush added.

Nationals of third countries who legally reside in Turkey and who entered Syria through Turkish airports will be allowed to cross back into their country, but they are also required to present their passports and inbound tickets. 

Alloush said that Syrian border officials are "fully prepared" to implement the measures in coordination with Turkish counterparts, with the procedures aimed at ensuring the safety of travellers and a smooth crossing process.

The Syrian official called on "all concerned citizens to ensure that their documents are ready before heading to the crossings, to avoid any delays or denials of passage".

"The Commission, while closely monitoring developments in border coordination, reiterates its commitment to facilitating humanitarian transit within the legal and regulatory frameworks in force between the two countries, and commends the ongoing cooperation with the Turkish side in this regard," he added.

Meanwhile, Syria's Civil Aviation Authority has denied rumours circulating online about the closure of Damascus International Airport. 

In a statement on Wednesday, the authority said the airport remains operational and can receive emergency landings. Only some air corridors have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure for aviation safety. 

In February, Turkey lifted some trade and transit restrictions on Syria at the countries' border after more than a decade, as part of plans to expand trade after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Goods exported or imported between the two neighbours or transited through Syrian border crossings continue to be subject to the same conditions as those applied to other countries.