Al-Tanaf Border Crossing, Border crossing in Homs Governorate, Syria.
The al-Tanaf border crossing connects Syria and Iraq at a strategic point along the M2 Baghdad-Damascus Highway in the Syrian Desert. The checkpoint sits in a remote location with long sight lines across barren desert landscape.
The border station became a contested location after 2015 when armed groups briefly seized control of the checkpoint. Military presence at the site has increased significantly since that period.
The crossing represents a meeting point between Syrian and Iraqi populations, facilitating trade relations and movement between both nations.
Travelers should expect the border crossing to be restricted with strict security checks in place. The desert location means visitors must be ready for extreme heat and extended wait times.
The location sits at the junction where three border zones meet and is monitored by multiple military actors. This layered security situation makes it one of the most complex border posts in the region.
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