Syria says Nasib crossing with Jordan completely closed

Syria said Thursday that the Nasib border crossing with Jordan is totally closed and any passage through it would be considered "illegal," according to the state news agency SANA.

The foreign ministry said it considered the crossing closed as of Thursday morning, adding that the decision comes in response to the "unilateral" decision by Jordan to close its side of the borders.

The Syrian statement spelled no further details, but it came one day after al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and allied militants captured the Nasib crossing, in Syria's southern province of Daraa bordering Jordan.

Syria didn't comment on the al-Qaida seizure of the crossing, but SANA said Thursday that Syrian troops have "regrouped in new military positions" around Nasib.

A day earlier, Jordan's state-run Petra news agency said Amman temporarily closed the border crossing with Syria to passengers and goods, adding that the decision seeks to preserve the safety of passengers amidst ongoing violence there.

The Nasib crossing is the last remaining crossing between Syria and Jordan, after rebel groups in Syria gained control of other border points.

Situated on the Damascus-Amman international highway, it has also been one of the busiest border crossings in Syria.

Syria's border with Jordan has witnessed several battles in the past four years. The falling of the government forces there have deprived them of any access to the Jordanian borders by land. Endit