Jordanian Truckers Protest Cargo Rules, Report Attacks At Syrian Border

(MENAFN- Jordan Times) AMMAN - Jordanian truck drivers have staged protests over exemptions granted to certain goods from Syria's“back-to-back” cargo transfer system, while Jordanian trucks and drivers have no role in decisions governing the entry of trucks into Syrian territory, President of the Association of Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies Daifallah Abu Aqoula said on Monday.

Abu Aqoula told Al Mamlaka TV that Syria's General Authority of Customs Ports issued Decision No. 31 in February, barring non-Syrian trucks from entering Syria and requiring the transfer of goods under the“back-to-back” system at border crossings.

He said that practical difficulties in unloading and reloading certain goods onto Syrian trucks led to exemptions for materials including clinker, bulk cement, cranes, marble blocks and glass, allowing them to enter through the Nasib Customs Centre without undergoing the transfer process.

Some drivers have renewed their protests, calling for an end to the exemptions, Abu Aqoula said, noting that facilities at the Nasib crossing cannot accommodate the transfer of certain materials.

He stressed that decisions on exempted goods rest with the Syrian authorities, calling for the protection of Jordanian drivers.

Abu Aqoula said that a small number of individuals had thrown stones at Jordanian trucks carrying cement and clinker, with footage of the incidents circulated online.

He called on the Syrian authorities to hold those responsible accountable, stressing that Jordanian drivers transport goods at traders' request and that cement enters Syria with the approval of the Syrian authorities.

He stressed that the incidents would have no impact on the close Jordanian-Syrian relations or cooperation between the two countries, noting the continued movement of goods through the Jaber border crossing to the Gulf countries and Aqaba Port.

The Jordanian Truck Owners Syndicate has contacted the relevant authorities to prevent further attacks, Abu Aqoula said, noting continued coordination with customs clearance companies, security agencies, the Land Transport Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Transport and the Syrian authorities.

He said that activity at the Jordanian-Syrian border continues to grow, with the number of customs declarations rising by more than 17,000 to 18,000 compared with the same period last year.

Abu Aqoula described the attacks as“isolated acts by individuals outside the law,” stressing that hundreds of Jordanian trucks enter Syria daily and carry out their work normally, and that such incidents are sporadic and do not reflect the Syrian people or government.

Also, protests at the Jaber-Nasib border crossing have intensified over the continued use of a special cargo transfer mechanism, with drivers and transport operators calling on the Ministry of Transport to intervene and adopt a fair queuing system.

They said that the current mechanism has affected the transport sector and limited Jordanian trucks' access to Syria.

The protests also saw tensions and attacks on several Jordanian trucks, with stone-throwing damaging the windscreen of one tipper truck, according to drivers.

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