Statement to be released over Semalka border crossing discussions in Syria’s northeast
DERIK, Syria (North Press) – On Wednesday, officials in Semalka border crossing, in the far northeast of Syria, with Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRG) said, a statement will be released in the coming hours in order to clarify the results of discussions between the two parties of the border and that trading movement has not been affected with the closure.
Since yesterday, discussions have been ongoing between the two administrations of the crossing Semalka- Faysh Khabur, a local official in Crossing Administration in northeast Syria, said in an exclusive statement to North Press.
The two parties agreed on some points, “the results will be released through a statement in the coming few hours,” the source added.
Today at dawn, Semalka crossing’s administration decided to close the crossing for travellers move and open it to only UN agencies and humanitarian organizations.
The administration attributed the decision to close the crossing to new measures imposed by KRG government on travellers movement.
Trading through the crossing was not affected, official of customs in Semalka crossing, Haval Khalil, said in an exclusive voice recorded statement to North Press.
Meanwhile, official spokesman of Semalka crossing, Sherzad Othman, said the crossing is open on Wednesday to only foreign residency’s bearers to leave.
In light of the ongoing closure of Tel Kochar (al-Ya’roubiya) crossing following a Russian Veto, areas of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) mainly rely on trading through Semalka crossing with KRG.
Additionally, internal crossings between the AANES-held areas and the Syrian government have been closed since March.