Latest news with #BorderPortsAuthority
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq rejects reports of al-Qaim crossing closure
Shafaq News — Damascus On Wednesday, Iraq's Embassy in Damascus dismissed social media claims that the al-Qaim border crossing with Syria has been shut, stressing that both passenger and commercial traffic continue. According to the Border Ports Authority, the crossing has only seen a temporary dip in arrivals due to the Arbaeen pilgrimage. Traffic is expected to rebound once the event concludes.
Rudaw Net
6 days ago
- Rudaw Net
Chlorine leak sickens hundreds amid Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq
Also in Iraq Kurdish MP slams Baghdad for hypocrisy toward Erbil Two Kurds arrested in Kirkuk for flying US flags to stand trial Iraq reports nearly three million visitors for Arbaeen pilgrimage Sudani dismisses 2 PMF commanders linked to attack on ministry A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Over 620 cases of suffocation have been reported following a chlorine gas leak in Iraq's southern Karbala province, the Iraqi health ministry announced on Sunday. The incident occurred amid the ongoing Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world. In an official statement, the health ministry confirmed it had 'recorded 621 suffocation cases in a chlorine gas leakage incident,' adding that 'all patients received necessary treatment and were discharged in good health.' Iraqi interior ministry Spokesperson Miqdad Miri stated that 'the leak originated from one of the water directorates along the Najaf-Karbala road,' which is currently hosting millions of pilgrims taking part in the 80-kilometer Arbaeen march between the two holy Shiite cities. 'Civil defense and emergency ambulance teams' responded swiftly to contain the situation and assist affected individuals,' Miri said. Meanwhile, Karbala Governor Nassif Jassim al-Khattabi visited a local hospital treating the victims and confirmed, 'Most cases have left the hospital after receiving the necessary treatment.' The gas leak comes as millions of religious pilgrims journey to Iraq for Arbaeen, a symbolic walk commemorating the end of the 40-day mourning period following the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the year 680 CE. The pilgrimage is set to culminate on August 15, when crowds are expected to peak in his shrine city of Karbala. Adnan al-Waeli, head of Iraq's Border Ports Authority, said on Sunday that nearly three million foreign pilgrims have already entered the country to participate in the pilgrimage, while the total number of pilgrims is typically announced later on the day of Arbaeen.
Shafaq News
02-07-2025
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Shalamcheh crossing bust: 2Kg gold seized
Shafaq News - Baghdad On Wednesday, Iraq's Border Ports Authority foiled an attempt to smuggle gold through the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran. Alaa Al-Qaisi, the authority's spokesman, informed Shafaq News that a force from the Shalamcheh Directorate apprehended a foreign traveler carrying more than 2 kilograms of gold, attempting to smuggle it out of Iraq. The suspect and the confiscated gold were then handed over to the Shalamcheh Customs Police Center for further legal proceedings. Located in southeastern Iraq's Basra province, the Shalamcheh border crossing serves as a vital international transit point connecting Iraq with Iran. It facilitates commercial trade, religious pilgrimage, and passenger travel between the two countries. The crossing remains a key focus of security operations, with Iraqi authorities maintaining strict surveillance to prevent smuggling, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities.
Shafaq News
29-06-2025
- Shafaq News
+1 kg of crystal meth seized at Iraq-Iran border
Shafaq News – Basra Iraq's Border Ports Authority foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of narcotics into the country through a crossing in Basra province, an official revealed on Saturday. Authority spokesperson Alaa Al-Qaisi told Shafaq News that officers at the Shalamcheh border crossing apprehended a foreign traveler carrying 1.4 kilograms of crystal meth concealed inside metal containers in a bid to bring the drugs into Iraq. The suspect was referred along with the seized materials to the Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances for legal action, and an official report was filed. The Shalamcheh border crossing is a key international transit point located in southeastern Iraq's Basra province, connecting the country with Iran. It serves as a major gateway for commercial trade, religious pilgrimage, and passenger traffic between the two nations. The crossing is also a focal point for security operations, as it is frequently monitored by Iraqi authorities to prevent smuggling, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities. Iraq lies on key trafficking routes connecting Southwest Asia, the Gulf, and Europe. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has raised concerns about the country's increasing role as a transit point for substances like Captagon and methamphetamine.
Shafaq News
14-06-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq-Syria al-Qaim border crossing reopens
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Border Ports Authority announced on Saturday the official reopening of the al-Qaim crossing with Syria. According to the authority, the first Syrian truck entered Iraq after clearing inspection and immigration procedures. Commercial activity will now operate within the designated Iraqi zone under existing regulations. Passenger movement has also resumed to ease travel for Iraqi citizens and streamline border processing, it added. The authority also noted that the reopening is expected to boost the local economy by generating jobs in transport and support sectors, while marking progress in Iraqi-Syrian economic ties, with anticipated gains in trade, revenue, market supply, and border stability. Syria's General Authority for Land and Maritime Border Crossings had earlier confirmed that the al-Bukamal–al-Qaim route would reopen on June 14 for both freight and travelers.
