This post is also available in:
العربية
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria — The main crossing route between Syrian government-held areas and territory controlled by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (S.D.F.) was abruptly closed on Tuesday, following new restrictions imposed by Kurdish-led forces, according to local reports.
Residents and travelers attempting to move from Deir Ezzor to the city of Raqqa were turned back at a checkpoint operated by the S.D.F.’s customs unit. Eyewitnesses said that checkpoint personnel blocked entry into Raqqa and ordered all incoming civilians to return to the town of Maadan, located west of Deir Ezzor.
The closure has disrupted the daily movement of civilians who rely on the corridor for essential needs, including collecting government salaries, completing university procedures, and handling official paperwork. Dozens of families and transport vehicles were reportedly forced to return to Deir Ezzor.
The incident coincides with a deployment of reinforcements from Asayish, the S.D.F.’s internal security arm, to several military outposts along the Deir Ezzor–Raqqa highway. The S.D.F. has not released an official statement explaining the move or its expected duration.
The crossing shutdown adds to the mounting tensions between the Kurdish-led administration and the Syrian government, further complicating civilian life in one of the country’s most volatile regions.
