Iraq and Syria open border crossing closed since 2012
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Iraq and Syria on Monday opened a key border crossing between the two neighboring countries, seven years after it was closed during Syria's civil war and the battle against the Islamic State group.
The opening of the crossing linking the Iraqi town of Qaim and Syria's Boukamal is expected to strengthen trade between the two Arab countries.
But it is also a boost to Iran's influence in the region, allowing Iran-backed militias in Iraq easier access to eastern Syria amid soaring tensions in the region between Tehran and Washington following the collapse of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers.
