Delivery vehicles banned from entering Duluiya to prevent smuggling in boost to local drivers

SALAH AL-DIN – In Salah Al-Din’s Duluiya district, a security and tribal policy prohibiting delivery vehicles from entering the city has created opportunities for local drivers. Implemented a year ago, the ban aims to prevent the smuggling of illegal goods, requiring delivery drivers to stop at the city’s entrance, where local drivers step in to transport goods to homes and businesses.

“We take responsibility for the deliveries after signing a pledge at the checkpoint,” one local driver told 964media. “The packages are inspected before we bring them into the city, and we charge 2,000 Iraqi dinars (about $1.30) for each delivery.”

Ammar Mohammed, a delivery person affected by the policy, shared his experience: “We used to bring goods from Baghdad and distribute them throughout the city, but ever since the ban, we’ve been stuck waiting at the Duluiya bridge for customers to come and collect their packages. Sometimes no one shows up, but now private cars from the city help by taking the deliveries inside.”

Sheikh Suhail Al-Khazraji, a prominent tribal leader, explained the rationale behind the decision. “Duluiya is a community deeply tied to its tribal traditions, and allowing delivery vehicles inside could pose security risks. We won’t allow it because we fear the smuggling of drugs, weapons, or other dangerous materials that could threaten the stability of the area. We are grateful to the security forces for their cooperation in ensuring all deliveries are stopped at the city’s entrance.”

Local drivers who handle last-mile deliveries must sign pledges and undergo inspections before they can bring goods into the city. “It’s a system that works well for us and helps maintain the security of our community,” one driver said.