Damascus, Aug. 10 (SANA) More than 7 million travelers crossed Syria’s official land border crossings in both directions during the first half of 2026, according to data from the General Authority for Borders and Customs, as authorities continue rehabilitation work and efforts to expand crossing capacity.
The data showed that total passenger movement through Syria’s crossings with Lebanon, Jordan, Türkiye and Iraq reached about 7.069 million during the period, including 2.47 million with Lebanon, 2.2 million with Jordan, 2.013 million with Türkiye and 386,000 with Iraq.
The figures also showed about 391,000 voluntary returns of Syrian refugees during the same period, as the government works to rehabilitate crossings and improve their operational capacity.
Lebanon: 2.47 million travelers
Border crossings with Lebanon recorded the highest volume of passenger movement, with nearly 2.47 million travelers during the first half of the year.
The Jdeidet Yabous crossing in Damascus countryside recorded about 1.7 million travelers in both directions since the beginning of the year, while the Jousieh crossing in Homs countryside recorded about 625,000.
The Jisr Qamar crossing recorded around 100,000 travelers since reopening in early May, while about 45,000 crossed through Arida, which continues to operate partially amid rehabilitation works on the bridge and related facilities.
Rehabilitation work at Arida includes infrastructure improvements and measures to increase operational capacity.
The figures show that Jdeidet Yabous and Jousieh remain the main routes for passenger movement between Syria and Lebanon.
Jordan: 2.2 million travelers
About 2.2 million travelers crossed the Nasib border crossing with Jordan in both directions during the first half of the year, making it one of Syria’s busiest land crossings.
The crossing serves as a major overland route for travelers heading to Saudi Arabia via Jordan, particularly during the Umrah season.
More than 24,000 Syrians returned voluntarily through Nasib during the same period, while authorities continue to improve services and operational readiness at the crossing.
The volume of traffic highlights Nasib’s role as a key link between Syria, Jordan and Gulf countries, serving passenger movement as well as transport and trade routes.
Türkiye: More than 2 million travelers
The number of travelers through Syria’s border crossings with Türkiye reached about 2.013 million during the first half of 2026.
The Salameh crossing in Aleppo province recorded the highest traffic, with about 1.04 million travelers, followed by Bab al-Hawa in Idlib with around 500,000.
Other crossings recorded about 181,000 travelers at Al-Rai, 121,000 at Kasab, 100,000 at Tal Abyad and 71,000 at Jarablus.
The figures come as authorities carry out rehabilitation and expansion projects at several crossings, including Salameh and Bab al-Hawa, while improving service facilities at Kasab and Al-Rai.
The two busiest crossings, Salameh and Bab al-Hawa, accounted for the majority of passenger movement between Syria and Türkiye.
Iraq: About 386,000 travelers
Passenger movement through Syria’s border crossings with Iraq reached about 386,000 during the period.
The Al-Tanf crossing, which reopened in early April, recorded about 155,000 crossings by truck and tanker drivers in both directions. The figure reflects increased freight and transit activity along the Syrian-Iraqi corridor, particularly after oil shipments began moving by road tankers from Iraq to Baniyas Port on Syria’s Mediterranean coast in April, according to the data.
About 87,000 travelers crossed Al-Bukamal, while Semalka recorded about 110,000 travelers during the three-month period from May to July. The Al-Yarubiyah crossing recorded about 34,000 travelers since reopening in late April.
The figures indicate a gradual return of passenger and freight movement through Iraqi crossings following their reopening or resumption of operations.
Authorities continue rehabilitation and development work at several crossings to expand capacity and improve passenger, transport and freight services.
Voluntary returns: About 391,000 Syrians
Syrian land border crossings received about 391,000 refugees who returned voluntarily during the first half of the year.
The highest numbers were recorded at Jousieh with more than 150,000 returnees, followed by Bab al-Hawa with more than 57,000, Salameh with about 63,000, Jdeidet Yabous with more than 43,000 and Nasib with more than 24,000.
Returns were also recorded through Arida, Jisr Qamar, Tal Abyad, Jarablus, Kasab, Al-Rai, Al-Bukamal and Semalka.
More than 7 million travelers crossed Syria’s land borders in first half of 2026
The figures show that voluntary returns took place through multiple crossings, with differences depending on the location of each crossing and its links to areas where Syrian refugees reside in neighboring countries.
Border traffic trends
Data for the first half of 2026 show increased activity at Syria’s land borders, with more than 7 million travelers recorded in both directions within six months.
The volume of passenger movement, alongside the return of about 391,000 Syrians, reflects a growing role for land crossings in travel, transport and regional connectivity.
The government continues rehabilitation projects, infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements at several crossings to enhance services and accommodate increasing traffic.
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