Iraq and Syria open border crossing closed since 2012

Iraq and Syria yesterday opened a key border crossing between the two neighbouring countries, seven years after it was closed during Syria’s civil war and the battle against the Islamic State group.

The opening of the crossing linking the Iraqi town of Qaim and Syria’s Boukamal is expected to strengthen trade between the two Arab countries. But it is also a boost to Iran’s influence in the region, allowing Iranbacked militias in Iraq easier access to eastern Syria at a time of soaring tensions between Tehran and Washington following the collapse of Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers. The area has been a point of friction between US-backed Kurdish fighters, and Syrian government troops and their Iranian-backed allies.

Syrian Interior Minister Major General Mohammed Khaled Rahmoun, accompanied by Syrian troops, crossed onto the Iraqi side of the border, where troops from both countries hugged and took selfies.

“The opening of this border crossing is the result of victories achieved by our people in Syria and Iraq against terrorist organisations,” Rahmoun said.

The Boukamal crossing was closed in 2012 as rebels fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad seized large parts of eastern Syria. Qaim and Boukamal were then controlled by the Islamic State group until 2017, when Syrian and Iraqi troops captured the towns from the extremists.

The border brings further relief to Assad’s government after border crossings with Jordan and the Israelioccupied Golan Heights were reopened last year. After eight years of war, Assad — with strong backing from Russia and Iran — has recaptured most of the country from rebels, and there is growing support within the Arab League for Damascus’ readmission.