Baghdad (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – As part of attempts to normalise relations and reestablish commercial links between the two nations, Iraq has formally reopened the Qaim border crossing with Syria for commerce and passenger travel, a spokeswoman for the Iraqi border administration said on Saturday.
“The Qaim crossing is now fully operational for both cargo trucks and civilian movement,”
According to Reuters; the spokesman said that the reopening came after Iraqi and Syrian officials had carried out joint security assessments.
Why has Iraq reopened the Qaim crossing with Syria?
Three months have passed since Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani asked Iraq to begin cross-border commerce during a visit to Baghdad. Following the uprising that overthrew President Bashar al-Assad, the bridge had been closed.
An important step toward enhancing economic cooperation between Iraq and Syria was taken on Saturday when the first Syrian truck passed inspection and entered the crossing, according to a statement from the Iraqi border crossings office.
“Passenger movement has also resumed in order to ease the burden on Iraqi citizens when travelling in and out of the country,”
The statement said.
“This crossing will serve as a strategic corridor for commodity trade between Iraq and Syria,”
Said Turki al-Mahallawi, mayor of the town of al-Qaim, where the border post is located.
Is this a sign of stronger Iraq-Syria relations?
The reopening is also interpreted as an indication of improved relations between Baghdad and the new Syrian government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has worked to restore trade and diplomatic links with neighbours in the area. Since al-Sharaa assumed office last year, Iraqi officials claim the two administrations have increased their collaboration on economic facilitation and border security.
What security issues caused the 2024 border closure?
The Al-Qaim border crossing between Iraq and Syria was closed in December 2024 for security reasons caused by clashes in the area and the withdrawal of Syrian government forces following a rebel offensive that resulted in the collapse of the Assad regime.
During this period, about 1,500 Syrian government soldiers passed through into Iraq and surrendered, and the border was heavily fortified and monitored by Iraqi forces for security. The closure was also a response to the instability of the security situation resulting from the rebel advances in Syria.
Lailuma Sadid is a former diplomat in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Embassy to the kingdom of Belgium, in charge of NATO. She attended the NATO Training courses and speakers for the events at NATO H-Q in Brussels, and also in Nederland, Germany, Estonia, and Azerbaijan. Sadid has is a former Political Reporter for Pajhwok News Agency, covering the London, Conference in 2006 and Lisbon summit in 2010.
