Shafaq News- Baghdad
Baghdad began urgent talks with Syrian authorities torelease Iraqi oil tanker drivers detained in Syria, General Commission ofCustoms Director Thamer Dawood stated on Wednesday.
Local media reports said the Iraqis are detained byunidentified armed forces in the Syrian territories without specifying thelocation.
Dawood contacted the head of Syria's General Directorate ofCustoms and other relevant authorities to address the situation, removeobstacles delaying their return, complete the necessary legal procedures, andensure their return to Iraq.
Last week, Iraqi drivers transporting crude oil to Syriaurged Baghdad to arrange security escorts inside Syrian territory, warning theywould suspend operations unless their safety concerns were addressed. Thedrivers reported repeated gunfire, robberies, and looting along the route,saying earlier requests for stronger security measures had received noresponse.
Iraq started using the Al-Waleed border crossing in March totransport petroleum products to Syria, dispatching 101 tanker trucks loadedwith approximately 3.2 million liters to the port of Baniyas.