BAGHDAD: Jordan and Iraq have agreed to reopen the Turaibil – al-Karamah border crossing shortly after Eid Al Adha.
A Jordanian security official has told Al Arabiya English that the Karamah crossing will be opened for the public on the third day of Eid, September 3, while staff will be deployed from August 30.
“We have conducted a trial run at the crossing with our Iraqi counterparts earlier this week at the al-Karamah crossing on August 20,” the official said. The official added that the decision was made to reopen the crossing, after a year-long closure, following cleansing operations conducted by the Iraqi and Jordanian military forces against ISIS militants in the area.
Over the past few months discussions have been going on between Iraq and Jordan to reopen the border crossing. In July, King Abdullah II declared the reopening the border. “Today, the road began to clear regarding Syria and Iraq, and there are positive indications”, the King said, voicing his optimism.
Jordanian Minister of Interior, Ghaleb Al Zu’bi, announced that the preparations have been in place to reopen the border point, saying that “Jordan is ready to go ahead at any time”. The Karamah border crossing connects the Jordanian town of Ruwaished with the Iraqi town of Turaibil. “The reopening of Turaibil will have positive effects on the economies of both countries,” Zu’bi said. “Jordan and Iraq can exchange medical supplies and other goods through this border,” he added
Talks were held in Amman and Baghdad between Iraqi and Jordanian officials to reopen the outlet after the defeat of ISIS in Iraq in order to resume transport activities between both countries which had been negatively affected since ISIS fighters occupied Mosul and South East of Iraq by Jordanian borders.
