Iraq opens Arar border crossing with Saudi for pilgrims

The Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi was opened yesterday for Iraqi pilgrims to pass through on their way to Makkah, the Anadolu Agency reported.

“The Arar border crossing with Saudi Arabia was opened for pilgrims heading to Makkah,” Mustafa Arsal, governor of Al-Anbar, said.

“The crossing was renovated in a joint project between the governorate’s council and the Border Guards [the Iraqi army].”

Arar, 450 kilometres southwest of Al-Ramadi and 500 kilometres south of Baghdad, has been completely closed since the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. The crossing opens annually for the passage of pilgrims.