You're reading: RFE/RL: Russia-backed Syrian forces take key border site after deal with rebels

RFE/RL: Russia-backed Syrian forces take key border site after deal with rebels

Published July 6, 2018 at 9:39 pm

A picture taken on July 6, 2018 shows Syrian government soldiers arriving at the Nassib border crossing with Jordan in the southern province of Daraa, after they regained control over it from rebel forces.The Nassib crossing was overrun by rebels in April 2015, sealing off the regime's crucial trade route with neighbouring Jordan, which calls it Jaber. With the crossing's recapture two weeks into a Russian-backed offensive, the government hopes it can reopen the vital trade lifeline. / AFP PHOTO / Mohamad ABAZEED

Photo by AFP

Syrian government forces supported by Russian military police have taken over a key border crossing with Jordan after a deal was reached between rebels and Russian mediators, Syrian state media and a war monitor say.

The SANA news agency on July 6 said government troops took the Naseeb border post late on July 5, more than three years after rebels had seized the site near the city of Daraa.