Shushme border crossing

Halabja returns over 14 tons of ‘unusable’ onions to Iran

HALABJA — The General Directorate of Agriculture in Halabja announced Sunday that more than 14 tons of onions, deemed unfit for consumption, were returned to Iran.

A source from the directorate revealed that the quarantine office at the Shushme border crossing with Iran rejected over 14 tons of imported onions. These onions, sourced from Iran, were found unsuitable for consumption and were sent back to their country of origin.

The Shushme border crossing connects Halabja Governorate in the Kurdistan Region with Kermanshah Province in Iran. The last urban center on the Kurdistan side is the town of Tawela, located about 22 kilometers from central Halabja.

In 2024, the Shushme border crossing facilitated the import of 89,192 tons of agricultural and commercial goods into the Kurdistan Region. Of the total imports, nearly 196,630 kilograms were deemed unfit and subsequently confiscated before being returned to Iran.

Located near the Iranian border and approximately 83 kilometers southeast of Sulaymaniyah, Halabja has officially been recognized as a governorate by the Kurdistan Regional Government.