Iraq-Syria Border Reopens, Boosting Trade & Oil Exports

0:00A major border crossing between Iraq and Syria just reopened on Monday the first time in over 10 years. It's called Rabia on the Iraqi side and Yerubia on the Syrian side, and officials say it'll boost trade and oil exports big time. Syria is pushing it as a safe land route to dodge issues at the Strait of Hormuz, especially with tensions around Iran. This spot shut down back in 2011 when Syria's civil war kicked off. In 2014, Islamic State militants grabbed it, but Iraqi Kurdish forces took it back later. At the ceremony, Syrian and Iraqi officials talked of better coordination for smoother trade and transit. Nadia al-Jubori from Iraq's Nineveh Provincial Council called it a gateway for swapping goods and moving oil. Iraq leans on oil for about 90 percent of its budget, shipping most through the Strait of Hormuz that narrow Persian Gulf choke point handling. 20 percent of the world's oil flow. This link up could ease some pressure on those searouts and spark real economic flow between

1:03the neighbors, opening doors long slam shut. I'm Cory with the story, and you've been listening to Canada News today, AI-powered local news.