Syrian Regime Takes Key Border Crossing as More Rebel Towns Surrender

Russian forces play role in negotiating turnover and patrolling once vital trade node between Syria and Jordan

BEIRUT—The Syrian regime and its ally, Russia, took control of an important border crossing with Jordan on Friday in a deal with antigovernment rebels that also included the surrender of four nearby towns in the country’s southwest.

The government forces have taken over the Nassib border crossing and raised the Syrian flag there, according to the Syrian state media and outlets affiliated with Hezbollah, another regime ally. A rebel spokesman and the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Russian military police...