Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Iraq imports petrol through Syria in another US-backed step towards closer ties

thenationalnews.com · 3hShare

Iraq has started importing petrol through Syria, an Oil Ministry official said on Sunday, in a significant deepening of ties with Damascus as Baghdad deals with disruption to its trade through the Strait of Hormuz , and as the US pushes for closer relations between the two countries. Iraq is using an overland trade route through Syria to export fuel oil and import petrol. In April, Syria became the main route for Iraqi fuel oil exports, partially compensating for the disruption to shipments caused by the war in Iran. At least 2.1 million tonnes of Iraqi fuel oil have also flowed by lorry to Syria's Baniyas since then. The Iraqi Oil Ministry official told The National that the first cargo of imported petrol, comprising 32,000 tonnes, was being unloaded at the Baniyas refinery, to be transported to Iraq by lorries. Seventy-seven lorries carrying the fuel then departed Baniyas for the Iraqi border, Reuters reported. Another ship loaded with petrol bound for Iraq was sailing to Baniyas. Ir

First report: Gasoline shipped to Syria begins moving by road to Iraq, Syrian official says — arabnews.com, 2d