Iraq resumes use of train line after 4 years

The Iraqi State Railways Company announced yesterday that trains will resume operating between Baghdad and Samarra, north of the Saladin province, after the service was stopped four-year ago due to the war against Daesh.

“The General Railways Company technicians and employees have renovated the railway line and repaired the damage caused by Daesh’s control of some parts of the railway line,” said Abdul Sattar Mohsen, director of information at the General Railway Company.

“The line will transport passengers and goods to and from the city of Samarra.”

Trains between Baghdad and the provinces of Anbar, Saladin and Nineveh stopped operating in mid-2014 after Daesh captured large swathes of the country. As a result, trains only operated to the south of Iraq.

Iraq has 12 high-speed trains, which it received in 2015 under a deal with China’s D.E.C worth $138 million.

Read: Iraq declares final victory over Daesh