The first transit convoy to cross from the Tal Abyad port towards Iraq

The first transit convoy coming from Turkey crossed through the Tal Abyad border crossing towards Iraq, in a practical indication of the reactivation of regional transport lines and the return of Syria to play its role as a logistical corridor between neighboring countries.

  The General Authority for Ports and Customs said in a statement published on its official IDs that this crossing comes as part of "continuous government efforts" to reactivate international transit lines and raise the efficiency of transport and supply chains across Syrian territory, in a way that enhances trade movement and revitalizes the traditional trade routes between Turkey and Iraq through Syria.

The Authority confirmed that it is working to facilitate transit and clearance procedures and raise operational and logistical readiness at various border crossings to ensure the smooth movement of trucks and goods and improve the level of services provided to the transport and trade sectors.

This comes after the reopening of the Al-Yarubiya-Rabia port between Syria and Iraq on April 24, which made it possible to reconnect land transport networks between the two countries and open a new route for regional transit traffic.

Iraq receives first shipment through international transport system from Syria

On Tuesday (May 12th), Iraqi customs  received the first shipment of the "International Land Transport System" (TIR), coming from Syria towards Kuwait through the Al-Waleed crossing, which is opposite the "Al-Tanf" crossing on the Syrian border.

In a statement on Tuesday (May 12th), the Iraqi General Authority of Customs described the operation as a "qualitative achievement" that reflects the growing role of Iraq as a regional hub for transport and international trade, explaining that the shipment was received after organizing its entry in accordance with the approved fundamentalist contexts, conducting audits and verifying the documents and customs stamps of the shipment, in preparation for completing the necessary legal and customs procedures for its passage through Iraqi territory.

She indicated that the process of entering the cargo into the courtyards of the customs center was carried out under direct supervision and control, until all official requirements are completed, and in line with the controls and instructions in force for international transit traffic, while taking control measures that ensure the safety of goods and the smooth movement of goods with high efficiency.

"The implementation of the global (TIR) system contributes to accelerating transit procedures and reducing operational time and costs, in parallel with strengthening customs control and raising the efficiency of compliance procedures, in line with the automation and modernization plans implemented by the General Authority of Customs," the Iraqi Customs said.

Iraq exports cement through Al-Waleed port to Syria

  On Sunday, May 3rd, the first shipment of Iraqi cement crossed into Syria through the Al-Waleed international border crossing, indicating a new phase of regional economic openness between Damascus and neighboring countries.

In a statement published through its official IDs, the Iraqi Border Ports Authority indicated that the Al-Waleed crossing currently enjoys advanced technical and administrative readiness that qualifies it to play a pivotal role in facilitating the flow of goods and promoting trade activity between Syria and Iraq after an 11-year hiatus.

According to the head of the authority, Omar Adnan al-Waeli, who supervised the export process, "this step represents a positive indicator of the success of the regulatory and control measures in the management of the ports, and reflects the level of co-operation and integration between the Iraqi and Syrian sides."

 This development came after the official reopening of the Al-Waleed port on April 2, 2026, following a closure of more than a decade due to security conditions, and the port witnessed a trial opening on March 31 by crossing the first crude oil tankers towards Syria, before it became fully operational.

The crossing is a strategic link between Iraq's Anbar province and the al-Tanf area in Syria's Homs province, and is the third crossing to be reactivated between the two countries after al-Qaim-al-Bukamal and Rabia-al-Yarubiya as part of a plan to revive trade across the common border.