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.
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.
The provinces of Anbar and Nineveh — with their respective capitals of Ramadi and Mosul — in addition to other areas, have been experiencing daily protests. They have been rallying against what they describe as a policy of Sunni exclusion implemented by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government. The majority of Anbar and Mosul’s populations are Sunni Arabs.
There was no official comment on the reason for the closure of these crossings. The Iraqi Army confirmed that they have received information that armed groups intend to cross from Syria and Jordan and target protesters. Yet Sunni politicians claim that these measures may be a slap on the wrist for the Sunni regions in which the protests against Maliki are taking place.
