Syrian Opposition Claims Control Of Jordan Border Gate

A group of Syrian opposition fighters called the "Southern Front" have taken control of the Nasib border crossing along the Syrian border with Jordan, the rebel group announced Wednesday.



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



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



Hariri added that fighting between Bashar al-Assad regime forces and opposition groups was ongoing at the border area.



There was no confirmation about the development from the Jordanian side. However, earlier in the day, Jordanian Interior Minister Hussein al-Majali said in a statement that 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," al-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 Nasib Border Crossing.



Jordan has two border crossings with neighboring Syria, one of which, the Daraa al-Ramtha terminal, has been under control of Syrian opposition forces since the past one 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 killed, according to UN.



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