ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Dozens of truck drivers have been stranded on the Turkish side of a border crossing with Iran for days due to a technical issue on the Iranian side. They are calling on the relevant authorities to resolve the problem.
The issue is at the Bajerga (Esendere) border crossing in Turkey’s southeastern Kurdish province of Colemerg (Hakkari). It is one of three crossings connecting Iran and Turkey along their 500-kilometer shared border.
“I have been a truck driver for 17 years, but I have never faced a situation like this. I have been waiting in line in front of the crossing gate for five days now. No one listens to our complaints or demands,” Ferhat Baksay, one of the drivers, told Rudaw on Thursday.
The drivers say they are facing serious hardships, with no showers, toilets, or rest areas available along the international highway, leaving them unable to meet even their basic needs.
They are hoping the technical issue will be resolved quickly so they can escape the grim conditions.
“There are no toilets or showers. Water is expensive, and we are forced to buy it; we are just stranded here,” said another driver, Sohrab Sohrabi.
According to data from the Turkish trade ministry, more than 60,000 vehicles passed through the Bajerga border crossing last year, of which 49,029 were commercial trucks.
Ferdi Sak contributed to this article.
