The Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs has announced that the Ras al-Ain border crossing, which links to Turkey, will be temporarily shut down to undergo necessary rehabilitation and service restoration. Operations at the site are suspended until the facility is brought up to required standards.
Field Evaluation Reveals Structural Deficiencies
Mazen Alloush, the authority’s director of public relations, shared the update via a recorded video on the evening of Sunday, 25 January. He explained that the decision followed a field visit by a leadership delegation from the authority, which occurred after the road leading to the area was reopened. The purpose of the inspection was to assess current on-the-ground operations and the crossing’s overall readiness.
According to Alloush, the crossing is currently in “extremely poor condition” and fails to meet “the most basic requirements” for a functional border terminal. He further detailed that the site lacks suitable infrastructure, specifically noting the absence of cargo yards and passenger halls. Alloush stated that these deficiencies contradict established safety protocols, organizational standards, and general border operation requirements.
The authority intends to keep the Ras al-Ain crossing closed on a temporary basis until a comprehensive reconstruction strategy is finalized to bring the facility in line with necessary benchmarks.
Exceptions for Humanitarian Aid and Emergencies
Despite the general suspension of traffic, Alloush clarified that the border will not be entirely closed to essential needs. Alloush noted that “the crossing will remain open for patients, humanitarian and emergency cases, as well as relief shipments bound for residents in the area.”
Background on Management and Corruption Allegations
Local sources informed Enab Baladi that the crossing was previously under the management of Ahmad Bulad, the brother of Sayf Bulad, who currently serves as the commander of the Syrian Army’s 76th Division. During that tenure, the border point was reportedly plagued by a variety of structural and administrative hurdles.
The infrastructure was significantly deteriorated, with the access roads in such poor state that transport vehicles and trucks were unable to pass normally. Furthermore, the crossing lacked essential services for travelers, such as service facilities and rest areas, which increased the difficulty for those using the point.
The sources also highlighted that the facility, which was then managed under the Syrian Interim Government, lacked what was described as effective oversight. This period was marked by allegations of corruption and financial irregularities, including the failure to transfer the local council’s designated financial shares on a regular basis.
In 2021, the local council officially objected to Ahmad Bulad’s appointment as manager, calling for a representative from Ras al-Ain (al-Hasakah Governorate, northeastern Syria) to take the role instead. Although the council held a week-long strike in protest, the decision remained unchanged, reportedly due to Ahmad Bulad’s significant influence and the backing of his brother’s leadership position.
Recent Inspection Tours by Authority Leadership
Prior to the announcement of the closure, the head of the General Authority for Ports and Customs, Qutaiba Badawi, conducted an inspection tour on 24 January. He was accompanied by the directors of central departments and his deputy for customs affairs. This tour included visits to the customs directorate in Raqqa city in northern Syria, as well as the Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad border crossings with Turkey. The delegation reviewed technical equipment, administrative and customs operations, infrastructure conditions, and the mechanisms governing site procedures.
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