Iraqi-Syrian agreement to transport goods through Al-Qa’im border crossing
Al-Qa’im border crossing between Iraq and Syria. Photo: Reuters
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi authorities announced on Monday that an agreement has been reached with Syria, allowing the entry of goods and travelers through the Al-Qa’im border crossing, according to the statement of the representative of Anbar governorate in the Commission of Border Crossing Points, Suaad Jassim.
The Iraqi official said that, according to the Iraqi-Syrian agreement, the two sides agreed to let Syrian cargo trucks transporting goods enter Iraq through the Al-Qa’im border crossing, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) mentioned.
Jassim elaborated that only drivers who have multiple entry visa will be allowed to cross the borders between the two countries. She also stated that Iraqi cargo trucks were also allowed to enter Syria.
Jassim indicated that the priority of entry includes cargo trucks loaded with perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables and other foodstuffs.
The Syrian Ambassador to Iraq, Sattam Jadaan Al-Dandah, announced last week that Iraqi and Syrian commercial cargo trucks will be allowed to enter both countries in a few days.
Al-Dandah explained that the freight traffic between Iraq and Syria stopped since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iraqi authorities prevented Syrian cargo trucks from entering the Iraqi territories due to security and health concerns.
The trade exchange with Iraq represents Syria’s most important commercial partnerships in the region, The Syria Report explained.
Last December, the Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Samer Al-Khalil, said in a press statement that Syrian officials will communicate with the Iraqi side to allow Syrian cargo trucks to enter Iraq again.