Northeast Syria administration closes only border crossing with Kurdistan Region

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The authorities of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria decided on Tuesday to close the Semalka border crossing with the Kurdistan Region, citing "technical measures" as the reason for its closure.

In a letter addressed to United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations, the administration said, "We would like to inform you that there are technical measures to close the Semalka crossing from our side."

The statement added that the closure "will not affect the entry and exit of the cadres of humanitarian organizations and their materials," noting that the border "will remain open for the entry and exit of staff affiliated with humanitarian organizations."

The AANES did not specify a date for reopening the crossing and did not indicate the nature of the "technical measures.”

Semalka is the main lifeline for the parts of Syria controlled by the Autonomous Administration due to its importance in the commercial movement between the Kurdistan Region and the parts of northeast Syria known as Rojava.

The Kurdistan Region is an important destination for many Rojava citizens, especially for medical treatment and humanitarian relief.

Semalka was temporarily closed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.