Arida border reopens, offering Syrian families a way home after months of closure
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Mariella Succar
The reopening of the Arida border crossing between Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday offered a long-awaited chance for Syrian families to return home, more than six months after Israeli airstrikes forced its closure.
In the dusty strip of land separating the two countries, scenes of reunion and anticipation played out as families gathered on their way back to Syria.
Arida, the second-largest land crossing between Lebanon and Syria, had been closed since November 26 following Israeli strikes on the area. At 7 a.m. Tuesday, traffic resumed—and quickly picked up speed in both directions.
The crossing is a crucial route for Syrians seeking to return home while avoiding lengthy and costly detours. It's also essential for Lebanese travelers heading between northern Lebanon and Syria's coastal towns.
The road damaged in the November strikes has been patched with compacted earth, and Syrian authorities have outfitted the crossing with temporary facilities to welcome travelers returning for the Eid holidays.
Passenger halls on the Syrian side saw steady movement, with border officials processing entries and exits throughout the day.
Though the reopening went smoothly overall, at least one woman was unable to complete her journey due to issues with her paperwork.
Reconstruction efforts at the site are ongoing, and the crossing will remain open through the holiday period. Of the three border posts linking northern Lebanon and Syria, Arida is currently the only one in operation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
an hour ago
- LBCI
Syrian security forces arrest Bashar al-Assad's cousin at Lebanon border: SANA
Syrian security forces, in cooperation with the General Intelligence Directorate, have arrested Wasim al-Assad, a cousin of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, near the Syrian-Lebanese border, a security source in the Homs countryside told the state-run SANA news agency on Saturday.
LBCI
an hour ago
- LBCI
Four Revolutionary Guards fighters killed in northwest Iran: Media
Four fighters from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in an Israeli attack on a training center in northwest Iran, the ISNA news agency reported. "Four people have died as martyrs and three others were wounded in an Israeli attack against a training camp of the Revolutionary Guards in Tabriz," ISNA reported. The city has been repeatedly targeted since Israel began striking Iran more than a week ago. AFP
LBCI
5 hours ago
- LBCI
Israeli army says it killed senior commander in Quds Force's Palestinian unit
The Israeli army said on Saturday it had killed a senior commander in the Palestinian unit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force.
