Tel Abyad border crossing sets deadline for Syrians entry from Turkey

The Tel Abyad border crossing in northern Raqqa, northern Syria
The Tel Abyad border crossing in northern Raqqa, northern Syria

IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – The administration of the Tel Abyad border crossing in northern Raqqa, northern Syria, set on Saturday a deadline for the entry of Syrians coming from quake-stricken Turkish provinces, until April 20.

The administration added in a statement posted on its official account that the border crossing will be closed for arrivals and departures starting on April 21 and will resume on the 24th of the same month, but only for Syrians returning to Turkey.

After the Feb. 6 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, Turkish authorities allowed Syrians who live in the quake-hit provinces of Gaziantep, Kilis, Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adıyaman, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Malatya, Adana, Elazığ and hold the Temporary Protection card (Kimlik) to enter Syria to visit their relatives.

The permit lasts at least three months and a maximum of six months. Syrian activists have expressed concern that Turkey will not allow their return.

Reporting by Malin Muhammad