Opposition Forces Claim Control of Jordan Crossing

Jordan stops commercial and passenger traffic from Masseb Jabir after rebels claim to have control of Nassib border crossing

The Southern Front, a group of Syrian opposition fighters, have taken control of the Nassib border crossing along Syria’s border with Jordan, the rebel group announced on Wednesday.

According to a statement, opposition fighters seized the border gate in the town of Nassib in southern Daraa province after intense clashes.

Daraa-based local activist Ibrahim Hariri told the Anadolu News Agency that a "Syrian revolution" flag of the opposition forces could also be seen erected at the border gate.

Hariri added that fighting between regime forces and opposition groups continued at the border.

No confirmation about the development was provided from Jordanian authorities. However, earlier in the day, Jordanian Interior Minister Hussein al-Majali released a statement claiming the Maseeb Jabir border crossing with Syria had been temporarily closed to commercial and passenger traffic.

"This is a precautionary measure to protect travelers in view of the violence on the other side of the border," Majali said.

Maseeb Jabir is the name of the border crossing on the Jordanian side, while the same crossing on the Syrian side is referred to as the Nassib border crossing.

Jordan has two border crossings with neighboring Syria, one of which, the Daraa al-Ramtha terminal, has been under the control of Syrian opposition forces for the past year.

Syria has been gripped by constant fighting since the Assad regime launched a violent crackdown on its own people in response to anti-government protests in March 2011, triggering a conflict that has spiraled into civil war and left more than 210,000 dead, according to the UN.

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