Türkiye expands Syria border crossings to boost trade

ANKARA, Türkiye (MNTV) — Türkiye is expanding and modernizing several customs crossings along its border with Syria as bilateral trade, transit traffic and passenger movement continue to grow between the two countries.

The Turkish Ministry of Trade is carrying out projects to increase the capacity of border facilities and improve infrastructure at crossings opposite major Syrian entry points, according to Anadolu Agency.

At the Cilvegözü crossing in Hatay province, opposite Syria’s Bab al-Hawa crossing, about 33% of planned expansion work had been completed during the first seven months of 2026. 

The project will increase the crossing’s yard from 17 to 23 dunams and double the number of lanes from two to four.

Türkiye has also begun preparations to expand the Akçakale crossing opposite Tal Abyad in northern Syria. Mines have been cleared from 24 dunams of Defense Ministry land, while another 59 dunams belonging to the Turkish Grain Board have been allocated for the modernization project.

Construction and planning are also progressing at several other crossings. A new service building is being developed at Öncüpınar, opposite Bab al-Salameh, while the yard at Çobanbey, opposite Syria’s al-Rai crossing, is planned to expand from 21 to 71 dunams.

At Karkamış, opposite Jarabulus in Aleppo province, permanent service buildings are under construction and the crossing’s yard is scheduled to expand from 15 to 90 dunams.

Infrastructure and superstructure work at the Nusaybin crossing, opposite Qamishli in northeastern Syria, has been completed. Turkish authorities say the crossing could begin operations once a customs crossing is established on the Syrian side.

On the Syrian side, Qutaiba Badawi, head of the General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs, said authorities are implementing a comprehensive expansion of Bab al-Hawa. The project includes new freight yards, service buildings and separate lanes for trucks and passengers.

Badawi said the Syrian project is expected to be completed within three months and will complement the infrastructure being developed on the Turkish side of the border.

He said the crossings have experienced rapid increases in commercial activity, transit traffic and passenger movement, strengthening their importance as links between Turkish and European markets and Arab markets through Syrian territory.

Trade between Türkiye and Syria rises

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said bilateral trade increased by 16% during the first seven months of 2026, following a 45% increase recorded throughout 2025.

Trade between the two countries reached approximately $3.75 billion last year, Bolat said, adding that Türkiye is working toward a longer-term bilateral trade target of $10 billion.

He described Syria as an important route for Türkiye’s access to Gulf and North African markets, while Türkiye provides Syria with a transit connection toward Europe, the West and the Caucasus.

Passenger movement also rebounds

Passenger traffic through several crossings has increased substantially since the beginning of 2026.

Bab al-Salameh recorded approximately 1.04 million arrivals and departures during the period, including around 63,000 Syrians who returned voluntarily to Syria.

Tal Abyad recorded roughly 100,000 passenger movements, including about 14,000 Syrians returning voluntarily.

The Jarabulus crossing recorded approximately 71,000 passengers traveling in both directions, while nearly 8,000 Syrians returned voluntarily through the crossing.

The expansion of the crossings comes as Türkiye and Syria seek to deepen commercial ties and facilitate movement across their shared border, with upgraded infrastructure expected to support increasing trade and transportation between the two countries.