03.04.2026 00:32
The al-Walid Border Gate, which has been closed between Iraq and Syria since 2014, has been reopened with the announcement of the President of the Iraqi Border Ports Authority. With the activation of the gate, the passage of oil tankers transporting fuel from Iraq to Syria has begun.
The al-Walid Border Gate, which has been closed since 2014 between Iraq and Syria, has reopened after 11 years. The opening of the gate, which was closed for security reasons, is considered an important step for the commercial and economic relations between the two countries.
CLOSED AFTER ISIS OCCUPATION
The mentioned border gate was closed due to security risks after the terrorist organization ISIS occupied a large part of Iraq and Syria. With the restoration of control in the region and the improvement of security conditions, the reopening of the gate has come to the agenda.
HIGH-LEVEL PARTICIPATION AT THE OPENING
Many security and customs officials attended the opening ceremony of the al-Walid Border Gate, including General Omar Adnan al-Vaili, President of the Iraqi Border Gates Authority, Kuteybe Ahmed Bedvi, President of the Syrian Border Gates and Customs Authority, and Samer Qasim Dawood, Director General of Iraqi Customs.
FIRST CROSSINGS STARTED WITH TANKERS
Immediately after the opening of the gate, it was reported that fuel-laden oil tankers were crossing from Iraq to Syria. This development was interpreted as a sign that commercial activities between the two countries have started to revive.
EMPHASIS ON MODERNIZATION AT BORDER GATES
During his inspections at the border gate, al-Vaili stated that the government continues to work on redeveloping and modernizing the border gates according to the highest technical and administrative standards. He expressed that these efforts would ensure that trade and passenger traffic are conducted in a more orderly, fast, and uninterrupted manner.
KEY ROLE IN ECONOMIC RELATIONS
Al-Vaili emphasized that the border gates play a critical role in Iraq's economic relations with neighboring countries, stating that such crossing points strengthen commercial cooperation between the two countries and create an important source of income for local governments.
RABIA BORDER GATE NEXT IN LINE
Kuteybe Ahmed Bedvi, President of the Syrian Border Gates and Customs Authority, stated in his announcement that efforts are ongoing to reopen the Rabia Border Gate to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.