Arar Border Crossing, Border crossing in Al-Nukhayb, Iraq
Arar Border Crossing is the main land crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, located in the remote desert district of Nukhaib in western Iraq. It has customs buildings, security checkpoints, and administrative offices on both sides of the border line.
The crossing was shut after the 1991 Gulf War and stayed closed for around 30 years, cutting off direct land travel between the two countries. It reopened in November 2020, restoring connections that had been broken for a generation.
During the Hajj season, Iraqi pilgrims gather here before crossing into Saudi Arabia, giving the site a strong religious character that sets it apart from most land borders. A mosque on the premises serves travelers on both sides as they wait to pass through.
Travelers should set aside plenty of time for document checks and security procedures, which are carried out carefully on both sides. Traffic at the crossing can be especially heavy during public holidays and the Hajj season.
Farmers from the Nukhaib area use this crossing to export vegetables to Saudi Arabia, making it an economic lifeline for one of Iraq's least developed regions. This small-scale trade grew quickly after the crossing reopened and now supports many families in the surrounding desert area.
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