2 Iran-Iraq Border Crossings Reopen

In coordination with the Iraqi government, Shalamcheh and Chazzabeh border crossings in Iran’s southern Khuzestan Province reopened on Wednesday.

IRNA also cited local officials as saying that based on a directive issued by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, trucks carrying export goods to Iraq, except refrigerated ones loaded with perishable foodstuff, through Khosravi, Mehran, Chazzabeh and Shalamcheh border crossings along the common border with the neighboring country, had been banned since late October.

The measure was taken by IRICA to facilitate the travel of some 650,000 pilgrims that headed to Iraq to commemorate Arbaeen on Nov. 9, and prevent truck drivers from being held up along the busy borders during the period. Arbaeen marks the 40th-day anniversary after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Each year, a large number of Shias converge on the Iraqi city of Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (PBUH) is located.