Iraq and Syria open border crossing closed since 2012

Iraq and Syria on Monday opened a key border crossing between the two neighbouring countries, seven years after it was closed during Syria's civil war and the battle against the Islamic State group.

The opening of the crossing linking the Iraqi town of Qaim and Syria's Boukamal is expected to strengthen trade between the two Arab countries.

But it is also a boost to Iran's influence in the region, allowing Iran-backed militias in Iraq easier access to eastern Syria at a time of soaring tensions in the region between Tehran and Washington following the collapse of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers.

The area has been a point of friction between US-backed Kurdish fighters, and Syrian government troops and their Iranian-backed allies.

In a symbolic gesture, Syrian Interior Minister Major General Mohammed Khaled Rahmoun, accompanied by Syrian troops, crossed onto the Iraqi side of the border, where troops from both countries hugged and took selfies.

Scores of Iraqis and Syrians who live in the border towns also attended the ceremony.

"The opening of this border crossing is the result of victories achieved by our people in Syria and Iraq against terrorist organizations," Rahmoun said.

The Boukamal crossing was closed in 2012 as rebels fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad seized large parts of eastern Syria.

Qaim and Boukamal were then controlled by the Islamic State group until 2017, when Syrian and Iraqi troops captured the towns from the extremists.

The group's territorial defeat was announced in Syria earlier this year.

Kadhim Mohammed, who represented Iraq's prime minister at the ceremony, said the opening of the border "opens a new page that represents reconstruction."
"The opening of the crossing will be a means for Iranians, Shiite militia and Hezbollah to boost their activities," he said. "The opening of the crossing is an Iranian defiance to America and the international community."