Semalka border crossing witness a large movement of Syrian returnees
Derik/ Malkiyah – North-Press Agency
Semalka border crossing between northern Syria and Kurdistan Region (KRG) has witnessed a large transit movement for more than a year. The number of arrivals to the region last July had reached 18.272 persons including 357 journalists and members of NGOs, according to the official register of the border-crossing directorate.
To facilitate the movement of the citizens, the Directorate of Visas in Qamishli has issued a generalizing in September 2018, containing several decisions serving the citizens, including organizing the mechanism of the return without going to the Visa Office in Qamishli, and giving young people included by Self-Defense duty a ten-day card to go to Self-Defense centers in their areas.
Also, the bus traffic was well received by citizens who were suffering from boat movement from the Syrian territories to the Kurdish side.
It’s said that Semalka border-crossing was opened between Syria and Kurdistan Region on January 6 2013, after “Hawler Meeting” which took place between the Kurdish parties on both sides in order to facilitate traffic movement for visits, humanitarian cases, the movement of trade and transporting goods.
Semalka border-crossing is the only outlet for the Autonomous Administration territories in north and east of Syria.