Baghdad: Iraq launched its first crude oil export operation to Syria on Friday through the Rabia-Al-Yarubiya land border crossing, sending an initial shipment of 70 tanker trucks, according to the Border Crossings Authority. A statement by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) said the operation was carried out under approved regulatory and security procedures, and with direct oversight from government authorities, said agency head Omar Al-Waeli.

According to Anadolu Agency, the move aims to relieve pressure on other crossings, diversify marketing channels, and boost national revenues, as stated by Al-Waeli. Efforts are underway to expand the crossing's capacity, with the agency working to upgrade its infrastructure and logistics services in anticipation of increased activity.

Al-Waeli emphasized the importance of land-based oil exports, explaining that the crossing offers an alternative to traditional routes by reducing associated risks and broadening distribution options. The crossing was reopened on April 20 after a 13-year closure due to security conditions and military operations resulting from the war in Syria.

The Rabia-Al-Yarubiya crossing is the fourth Syria-Iraq land crossing to resume operations, following the reopening of Al-Qaim-Al-Bukamal and Al-Walid-Al-Tanf after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. The Syrian Petroleum Company has stated that the flow of Iraqi fuel is expected to reach around 500,000 metric tons per month.