Iraq revives Syria land route to export oil to Europe

Iraq revives Syria land route to export oil to Europe Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Thu, 04/02/2026 - 09:03 Seeking for new ways to balance the books, Baghdad shifts exports overland as regional war disrupts maritime routes An oil drilling machine is pictured at an oil field in al-Hol, in the desert region of Hasakeh province on 21 January 2026 (Omar Haj Kadour/AFP) Off Iraq has restarted overland oil exports through Syria , marking a significant shift in regional energy logistics as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to wreak havoc on traditional shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz . Ali Nazar, director general of Iraq’s state oil marketer Somo, said on Wednesday that the company had agreed to export 50,000 barrels per day of Basra medium crude via Syria to the Mediterranean, with plans to increase volumes. The crude will reach European markets through the Syrian port of Baniyas.