Turkish- Iraqi railways resume work

The railway line which links between the South East of Turkey and Iraq, through Syria was opened in the first of August following a suspension of more than 5 months because of the war on Iraq, according to the Anadolia news agency yesterday.

The two national companies of the Turkish and Iraqi railways decided on July 30 to re-operate this line which was opened in 2002 following years of suspension.

The Turkish news agency added that the trips will be at the beginning held at a pace of 4 trips weekly and then to be increased according to the protocol signed between the two companies.

The trips of this trade train whose loading capacity is estimated at 1000 tons for the time being will be limited to transporting commodities.

Discussions, however, are underway to transport passengers, according to the agency.

A technical mission from the Turkish national railways headed for Iraq to study the possibility of reoperating several Iraqi trains.