Iraq and Syria open border crossing closed since 2012
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Iraqi and Syrian border guards prepare to open the crossing between the Iraqi town of Qaim and Syria's Boukamal in Anbar province, Iraq, Monday, Sept 30, 2019.
PHOTO: REUTERS
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
QAIM, Iraq (AP) - Iraq and Syria have opened a key border crossing between the two neighbouring countries, seven years after it was closed during Syria's civil war.
Monday's (Sept 30) opening of the crossing between the Iraqi town of Qaim and Syria's Boukamal is expected to strengthen trade between the two countries.
It's also a boost to Iran's influence in the region, allowing Iran-backed militias in Iraq easier access to eastern Syria amid soaring tensions in the region between Iran and the US.
The opening of the crossing was postponed several times in recent weeks.
Qaim and Boukamal were controlled by the Islamic State group until 2017, when Syrian and Iraqi troops captured the towns from the extremists. The group's territorial defeat was announced in Syria earlier this year.
