Trending 
Iraq has officially reopened the al-Rabia border crossing with Syria, more than a decade after it was shut down due to the rise of the Islamic State group.
The crossing, also known as al-Yarubiyah on the Syrian side, had been closed since the group’s brutal assault on both countries in 2014, which led to widespread devastation and territorial loss.
The reopening of al-Rabia, located in Nineveh province, marks a huge step in restoring trade and diplomatic ties between Iraq and Syria.
Omar Al-Waeli, the head of Iraq’s Border Ports Authority, stated during the reopening ceremony that the border post is “a strategic border port” and emphasised its crucial role in the Development Road initiative. This mega-project aims to enhance connectivity between Asia and Europe by upgrading rail and road infrastructure through Iraq and Turkey.
The crossing had once been a major trade route between the two countries, but its closure during the height of the Islamic State’s power significantly disrupted commerce.
Despite the defeat of the insurgents, the al-Rabia crossing remained closed for years, only briefly used for humanitarian aid deliveries to war-torn Syria.
Earlier this year, the Kurdish forces controlling the Syrian side of the border handed over authority to the Syrian government, marking a new phase of governance after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
With both sides now in control, the reopening of the al-Rabia crossing is seen as a key development for regional stability and the restoration of trade.
