Turkey Reopens Habur Gate To Iraq After 22 Days

Turkey's Habur border crossing with Iraq, which was closed for 22 days due to curfews and clashes in nearby towns, was reopened on Jan. 5, but under limited conditions, allowing only 1,250 vehicles to cross. Transport and export representatives have voiced a strong need for the opening of more border gates with neighboring countries and increasing security as they face serious losses in transporting their goods abroad. "Only 500 vehicles will be allowed to drive over the border from Turkey to Iraq and only 750 vehicles will be able to enter Turkey from Iraq" Customs and Trade Minister Bülent Tüfenkçi, said Jan. 5. He noted that more than 13,000 trucks were still waiting at the Habur gate.