Iraq Will Allegedly Export Oil Through the Neighboring Countries of Jordan and Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:00 P.M.) – Iraq will allegedly export oil through the neighboring countries of Jordan and Syria, the Al-Watan publication reported, citing an announcement from Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi.

According to the publication, Abdul-Mahdi expressed Iraq’s desire to diversify their trade partners and reestablish oil export routes.

“Iraq has lost its export routes of oil and needs to diversify its export lines,” Abdul Mahdi said at a news conference on Tuesday, as reported by Al-Watan.

Abdul-Mahdi reportedly added that the Iraqi government is working on a contingency plan to find alternative routes for oil exports if the Strait of Hormuz is closed.

The Iraqi Prime Minister did not specify the timing and mechanism by which the oil will be exported to Syria, but the two countries are connected via a network of oil pipelines that connect the Kirkuk fields with the Homs refinery and the Baniyas port.

Once foes, Iraq and Syria have mended their relationship over the last few years and even boosted their bilateral relations through trade and military cooperation.