Al-Waleed crossing reopens as Iraqi oil convoys start entering Syria

Developments

Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Border Crossings director Mazen Alloush announced the reopening of the al-Tanf and al-Waleed crossings and confirmed the entry of the first convoys of Iraqi oil tankers bound for the Baniyas terminal. Iraqi local officials also reported a trial reopening at al-Waleed, attended by Anbar’s governor, with more than 150 tankers waiting and expectations that up to 500 could transit daily. Iraqi prime ministerial directives have pushed for fast reactivation of al-Waleed and Rabia to boost trade and take advantage of Iraq’s geographic role linking East and West.

Wider reopening plan

Syrian teams are inspecting and rehabilitating other border points — notably al-Yarubiyah (opposite Iraq’s Rabia) and crossings such as Semalka/Faysh Khabur — with work at al-Yarubiyah expected to finish by early May to allow resumed operations. The moves follow prior steps including the January agreement to integrate SDF institutions into the Syrian state and the June 2025 reopening of Al-Bukamal, and are framed as efforts to revive commercial and energy transit routes between the two countries and deepen economic integration, as reported by Enab Baladi