March 19, 2003

Syria blocks Iraqi exodus

As the countdown to war continues, Iraqis have been trying to get out of the country.

But since midday on Tuesday, they have been unable to cross the border into Syria.
[...]
One Syrian border official said they were only allowing in Iraqis who were travelling on their own.

Big groups or families had to be turned back, he said, because it was obvious they were trying to flee.

Many Iraqi taxis and buses and their passengers are now finding themselves stranded on the border with not enough petrol to drive back to Baghdad.

The four-hour drive from the Iraqi capital to Syria requires that cars fill up with petrol just before or just after they leave Iraq.

On the road between Baghdad and the border, however, there were long queues at the few open petrol stations, and cars were not being allowed to fill up completely.

Such is war, but it's tragic to behold.
Hopefully, it's a good thing that these refugees can't get back to Baghdad and that they're out of harm's way.
Let's hope that Syria changes its mind and opens up the border again.