Turkey-backed SNA to Hand Border Crossing to Syrian Caretaker Government 

AL-BAB, Aleppo, Syria (North Press) – The “National Army,” a Turkish-backed faction, closed the al-Rai border crossing in northern Aleppo on Monday, signaling preparations to hand it over to the Syrian Caretaker Government within the coming days.

A North Press correspondent, citing an administrative official at the al-Rai crossing, reported, “The crossing ceased operations today as a delegation from the Caretaker Government arrived. File transfers and other administrative processes related to the crossing have begun.”

The official also noted that dozens of trucks have been redirected to the Bab al-Salama crossing near Azaz. The al-Rai crossing will remain closed until Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

Further Transfers Expected

According to the official, discussions are ongoing about similar handovers of the Bab al-Salama and Jarabulus crossings in Aleppo countryside. These transfers are expected to take place in the coming week, effectively removing northern Syrian border crossings from the control of Turkish-backed factions and placing them under the authority of the new Syrian administration.

This shift represents a significant development in the political and administrative restructuring of northern Syria under the new transitional framework.