Iraq has officially commenced the export of oil through the Al-Waleed border crossing into Syria, marking a significant step in diversifying its regional energy export routes.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing international media, that the strategic border point has been reopened to facilitate the movement of fuel tankers between the two neighboring nations.
Mujahid al-Dulaimi, the head of the Al-Waleed region, told the Iraqi news agency INA that a trial opening of the crossing took place today specifically for the entry of oil tankers. He noted that more than 150 tankers are currently stationed at the border awaiting clearance into Syria. Iraqi authorities anticipate that the volume of traffic will scale up significantly, with expectations for at least 500 tankers to transit the checkpoint on a daily basis.
According to reports from Reuters, Iraq's state-owned oil marketing company, SOMO, has already secured contracts to supply approximately 650,000 metric tons of fuel oil per month for the period of April-June. These supplies are designated for overland transport via trucks through Syrian territory, highlighting a shift toward utilizing land-based logistics to bypass traditional maritime bottlenecks.
This move is seen as a strategic effort by Baghdad to enhance its economic cooperation with Damascus and optimize its energy infrastructure. By restoring the Al-Waleed route, Iraq aims to reduce its reliance on a limited number of export outlets and strengthen its position within the Middle Eastern energy map. The resumption of these transit operations is expected to provide a logistical boost to the regional fuel trade, which has faced numerous challenges due to geopolitical instability over the past decade.
