AMMAN: Jordan has said its relations with the Syrian regime are heading in the “right direction” and looked forward to a reopening of the border crossings with its war-torn neighbor.
“Our relations with the Syrian state and regime are going in the right direction,” government spokesman Mohamed Momani said on television on Friday night.
Momani highlighted the “stability” of the situation in southern Syria, across the border from Jordan.
The government spokesman, who is also state minister for information, said his remarks were “a very important message that everyone should hear.”
A cease-fire brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan in the southern Syrian provinces of Daraa, Quneitra and Suweida has largely held since it entered into force July 9.
Russia and Iran, the Syrian regime’s main allies, and rebel-backer Turkey agreed in May to create four safe zones in Syria in a deal aimed at bringing a lasting truce.
Their negotiations are parallel to UN-sponsored talks.
Moscow believes the “de-escalation zone” in southern Syria can only be put in place with the agreement of the United States and Jordan.
“The cease-fire is holding, and we hope there will soon be additional measures to consolidate stability and security in Syria,” said Momani.
“If the current situation continues and southern Syria stabilizes, it would allow for the reopening of the crossing points between the two states,” he added.
Jordan is one of the few Arab countries not to have closed its embassy in Damascus, and the Syrian diplomatic mission in Amman also remains open.
The kingdom shares a border of more than 370 kilometers (230 miles) with Syria, where over 330,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since its conflict broke out in 2011.
The economy of Jordan, a country devoid of natural resources, has been severely affected by the closure of borders with Iraq and Syria, which are both at war.
The United Nations says Jordan is hosting more than 650,000 Syrian refugees, while the kingdom puts their actual number at 1.4 million.
Jordan says Syria ties headed in ‘right direction’
Jordan says Syria ties headed in ‘right direction’
Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction
- Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway
RAMALLAH: The Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, on Friday discussed the latest developments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
During their telephone conversation they emphasized the need to intensify international efforts to end the Israeli occupation and halt attacks and settler violence, and to secure the release of Palestinian funds held by Israeli authorities.
They affirmed the importance of ongoing efforts relating to plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, and Europe’s significant role in this process. Mustafa and Albares highlighted the need to unify Palestinian institutions in Gaza with those in the West Bank, with the aim of establishing a Palestinian state in line with international resolutions, including last year’s New York Declaration.
They also discussed coordination between their countries, and the strengthening of Spain’s political, diplomatic and financial support for Palestine, and Mustafa thanked Spain for its ongoing support.
Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway. Estephan Salameh, the Palestinian finance and planning minister, is set to visit Spain this month to discuss enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of development and reconstruction. Meanwhile, Israel continues operating in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoners media office said on Friday that Israel carried out numerous raids across the territory, including the major cities of Ramallah and Hebron, according to The Associated Press.
Nearly 50 people were detained, following the arrest of at least 50 other Palestinians on Thursday, most of those in the Ramallah area.
As 2026 begins, the shaky 12-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has largely ended large-scale Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
But Palestinians are still being killed by Israeli fire, especially along the so-called Yellow Line that delineates areas under Israeli control, and the humanitarian crisis is compounded by frequent winter rains and colder temperatures.
On Friday, American actor and film producer Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
The only crossing between the territory and a country other than Israel, it remains closed despite Palestinian requests to reopen it to people and aid.
Jolie met with members of the Red Crescent on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing and then visited a hospital in the nearby city of Arish to speak with Palestinian patients on Friday, according to Egyptian officials.
Aid groups say not enough shelter materials are getting into Gaza during the truce.
