Iraqi Border Closures Affect Commerce in Sunni Regions

Iraq's decision to close border crossings in Sunni regions bordering Syria may be primarily for security, but it is also taking an economic toll, writes Omar al-Shaher.
An Iraqi border policeman mans a machine gun near the Iraqi-Syrian borders at the Abu Kamal-qaim border crossing, the main border post between Iraq and Syria, September 8, 2012. Al Qaim, in the Sunni heartland of Anbar province, reflects the tricky balancing act Iraq's Shi'ite leaders face in Syria, whose crisis is testing the Middle East's sectarian divide. Al Qaim and its neighbouring Syrian counterpart Albu Kamal are on a strategic supply route for smugglers, gun-runners and now insurgents aiming to join
An Iraqi border policeman mans a machine gun near the Iraqi-Syrian border at the crossing from Abu Kamal to Qaim, in the Sunni heartland of Anbar province, Sept. 8, 2012. - REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani
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Omar al-Shaher
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As of now, the Iraqi market has not registered any clear rise in prices following the closure of three border crossings linking Iraq to both Syria and Jordan.

The Iraqi government recently decided to close two border crossings with Syria, at Rabia in Nineveh province and al-Walid in Anbar province, after having previously closed the Jordanian-Iraqi crossing at Trebil in Anbar.

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