Al-Bukamal al-Qaem border-crossing between Syria and Iraq to open in less than 72 hours

Syrian government sources have revealed the date for the opening of al-Bukamal–al-Qaem border-crossing between Syria and Iraq, after years of closure due to the loss of control over the area by the Syrian government forces. 

Local media quoted Syrian government sources, which stated that “all the necessary works had been completed to open al-Bukamal–al-Qaem border-crossing on the Syrian-Iraqi borders”, noting that it will be opened on 7 September.  

The sources confirmed the full readiness of the border-crossing to “receive the arrivals”, while meetings were also held between the Governor of Deir ez-Zor and the heads of the administrative units in the city of al-Bukamal in order to confirm the readiness of the border-crossing and the implemented projects. 

He also pointed out that “as for the Iraqi side, only the last touches remained to open al-Qaem border-crossing”. 

Earlier, military leaders from Syria and Iraq conducted an exploratory tour on the borders between the two countries, in preparation for the reopening of the border-crossing of alBukamal-alQaem.  

The head of the Iraqi border outlets, Kazem al-Uqabi had announced last April an agreement with the Syrian side to reopen alBukamal-alQaem border-crossing for the trade exchange between the two countries. 

Al-Uqabi said: “We have agreed with the Syrian side to reopen alBukamal-alQaem border-crossing to provide the necessary requirements for the trade exchange and crossing people as soon as possible, and that the requirements should be provided in less than 6 months”.  

There are three border crossings which link Syria with Iraq: al-Yarubiyah–Rabia border crossing which is controlled by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), al-Walid–al-Tanf border crossing which is controlled by the US-led Global Coalition forces, and al-Bukamal–al-Qaem border crossing which is controlled by the Iranian forces.