ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi and Syrian officials are talking about the possibility of reopening the Rabia border crossing between Nineveh province and northeastern Syria (Rojava) in a bid to normalize trade, an Iraqi official said on Friday.
“Negotiations have begun at the level of both Iraqi and Syrian intelligence agencies to open the Rabia border crossing between Nineveh and Hasaka [provinces],” Mohammed Kakai, chair of Nineveh provincial council’s Security Committee, said in an interview with Rudaw.
Rabia border crossing, 120 km from the centre of Mosul city, was closed in 2014 when the Islamic State (ISIS) seized swathes of Iraqi and Syrian land.
“As for the Iraqi side, preparations have been made. The Nineveh side of the border crossing is ready, and only the consent of the Syrian side remains,” Kakai said, adding “On the other side of the border, in Hasaka province, Syrian Democratic Forces [SDF] are in control, but they are not close to the gate.”
The SDF agreed to hand over control of Rojava’s border crossings and airports to the central government in a landmark agreement signed by SDF commander Mazloum Abdi and Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on March 10. They also agreed to merge Rojava’s institutions into state structures.
Negotiations on implementing the deal have stalled and Damascus called off talks planned for August in Paris. The two sides disagree on the interpretation of the deal. Damascus wants Rojava’s institutions to dissolve and assimilate into the Syrian government, whereas Rojava wants to be a partner with Damascus.
The border crossings under the control of the SDF include Rabia and Fishkhabur with the Kurdistan Region. It also has a long border with Turkey.
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