A landmark event for the restoration of war-ravaged Syria. Two border crossings were opened there today, on the border with Israel and with Jordan. Strategic checkpoints Nasib and Quneitra were in the hands of militants for several years. They used them to smuggle weapons and drugs, and prevent refugees from returning home. Today’s event would have been impossible without the Russian military and major political negotiations involving the Russian president.
Alexei Baranov with the details.
Deputy commander of the Russian troops in Syria, General Sergei Kuralenko, and representatives of the Russian military police personally greet the leaders of the region's UN mission. These handshakes are the finale of the great work done after the liberation of the province of El Quneitra from militants. Syrian police have equipped the border crossing in no time.
We see the UN car being inspected by Syrian police. Officials, priests, military. However, the main guests today are the Druze. The ancient people, divided by the Syrian-Israeli border.
Makhmud, El Quneitra resident: “We call this valley the Valley of Screams. This way, we communicate with relatives through the rows of barbed wire. Each of our families has relatives on the other side of the border. Hopefully, we'll be able to visit each other".
The Russian military police will provide help to ensure security at the border crossing. Its units are now serving on the border of the demilitarized zone. It was after them that the UN patrol came back after such a long break.
General Sergei Kuralenko Deputy commander of the Russian troops: "We first conducted a joint patrol with the UN mission from the city of Baath to El Quneitra. The Syrian side has restored patrols. Relevant documents will be signed. UNDOF mission officials will move to the Israeli side".
Meanwhile, Syria, after the liberation from militants, is becoming more and more open — literally. Just a couple of hundred meters from here to the border. Those buildings are already in Jordan. The Nasib checkpoint was released from the militants in late summer. Now, refugees are returning to their homeland through it. And there are large flows of commercial goods coming through it, too. Syria desperately needs them while restoring from war.
The Russian military is helping Syria in during this economically important transition. The Syrian authorities purposely reconstructed the highway that leads from Nasib to Damascus. As well as the road that goes to the border of Israel. The opening ceremony of the checkpoint in the province of El Quneitra is held to applause.
Perhaps, for the first time in seven years, the gates to the neutral zone are open, and the UN vehicles are passing it towards Israel.
Alexei Baranov, Alexandr Malyshev, Nikita Korunov, Vesti, Syrian-Israeli border, Golan Heights.
