 DAMASCUS - US and Iraqi forces are preventing hundreds of Syrian trucks from entering Syrian territories through a crossing northeast of the country, creating a backlog of transit trucks stranded on the Syrian-Iraqi Yaaroubiya border crossing, a Syrian customs official said on Monday.
Shehadeh Al Hussein said more than 700 Syrian trucks were stopped from returning to Syria after unloaded produce and other merchandise in Iraq. He said Iraqi authorities allowed non-Syrian trucks to pass but banned those with Syrian license plates from entering, while often directing insults at their drivers.
| "Hey Hassan, I don't they like us no more." |
Al Hussein, who is director of the Customs Authority in the northeastern province of Hassakeh, told The Associated Press by telephone that some of the drivers have been stranded for up to 18 days on the Yaaroubiya crossing, some 780 kilometers (485 miles) northeast of Damascus. Many had little or no food, he said.
He said some trucks passed but only after paying around US$100 (81 euros) to bribe Iraqi officials. âThis puts economic pressure on Syria,â al-Hussein said. A meeting was held Monday with Iraqi customs officials to find a solution, he said, âbut none seemed forthcoming.â
| "Wait 'til we get a government elected, then we'll get back to you." |
There was no immediate comment from Iraqi officials.
A human rights group said Monday that US and Iraqi forces have for days prevented about 700 Syrian trucks from entering Syrian territory. The Arab Organization for Human Rights called on all international human rights organizations to exert pressure on US-led coalition forces in Iraq to abide by international laws.
| An Arab organization demanding that people respect human rights? There's a first. Where were you guys a few years back? |
In a statement it said the âexceptionalâ measures on the Syrian-Iraqi border were an encroachment on the rights of Syrian citizens inside Iraq and called on Iraqi authorities to facilitate the return of Syrian trucks and provide the drivers with food and water. |