Maysan truck drivers protest al-Sheib closure, call it threat to jobs

MAYSAN — Dozens of truck drivers protested Thursday against the closure of the al-Sheib border crossing with Iran, calling Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s decision unfair and warning that it threatened jobs and the local economy in Maysan governorate.

The drivers of heavy trucks and cargo vehicles gathered in the morning to demand the reopening of the crossing, which they described as a lifeline for the governorate’s economy. They said the closure would hurt drivers, traders and other residents who depend on cross-border trade, and questioned why al-Sheib had been singled out while other crossings with Iran remained open.

Al-Sheib closed at 6 a.m. Wednesday to goods and travelers until further notice. An official source said Tuesday that the decision was issued under Zaidi’s instructions and that other crossings with Iran would be closed gradually, without giving a timetable.

Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi said Wednesday that the shutdown was meant to address deficiencies in the crossing’s technical and logistical infrastructure. “The suspension of operations at the al-Sheib crossing is a step toward improving its technical and logistical readiness,” he said, adding that trade continued through other crossings.

Iran’s Interior Ministry said Wednesday that Tehran had received no advance notice of the closure. Ministry spokesperson Zeyni Vand said a bilateral agreement required prior notification when either country intends to close a crossing for more than one day, and Iranian authorities advised travelers and traders to use the Shalamcheh crossing instead.

On Thursday, Aboudi called Iran’s denial “inaccurate,” saying Iraqi authorities had notified their Iranian counterparts through approved channels and that all crossings with Iran were open except al-Sheib.

Karim al-Muhammadawi, a member of parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, challenged the government’s explanation on Wednesday, calling the closure dangerous and unjustified. Claims that the crossing was unfit to operate were inaccurate, he said, describing al-Sheib as a major source of economic activity for Maysan, particularly agricultural imports.

Government adviser Abdul Amir Taiban has said the closure was needed to stop drugs and counterfeit currency from entering Iraq.

Baghdad is also clearing vegetable shipments stranded on the Iranian side. Border Ports Authority chief Lt. Gen. Omar al-Waeli said Wednesday that the government had allowed perishable goods to enter after appeals from Iraqi traders and importers worried about spoilage and higher market prices.

Al-Sheib was among the crossings with Iran shut temporarily in September after a drone attack on Saudi Arabia was launched from Iraqi soil.