The Abdali land border crossing between Kuwait and Iraq, reopened after nearly two years (since February 24, 2020 until Dec 22, 2021), following the closure due to the Covid-19 repercussions.
Al-Rai quoting sources said people entered and left the country amid complete security reinforcement, and the operation of all counters in the passports hall, where the process of completing transactions takes only 3 minutes after security checks.
The Ministry of Interior has provided all the equipment at the port and taken all measures to overcome obstacles for travelers. The director of the port administration, Colonel Walid Al-Azmi, told Al-Rai the port is open for departure to Iraq 24/7 hours but those arriving to Kuwait are entertained for 12 hours a day from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
He pointed out that under the instructions of the Minister of Interior Sheikh Thamer Al-Ali, the Undersecretary of the Ministry, Lieutenant-General Sheikh Faisal Al-Nawaf, the Undersecretary for Ports Security Major-General Mansour Al-Awadi and the Acting Director-General of Ports Security, Brigadier Ali Al-Bannai, the border point opened after making all preparations and removing all ‘obstacles’.
He pointed out “the port, which was closed in February 2020 due to the pandemic, was restricted for travel only for trucks transporting goods, and only about 30,000 people have crossed the border since the closure. After the opening travel has been smooth for citizens and residents from and to Kuwait and Iraq, he said.
He disclosed the movement of people crossing the border is very small, especially those arriving into the country not exceeding dozens, in contrast to the past years before the pandemic, which was witnessing a large movement of travelers between both sides, whether to visit relatives or for religious visits in Iraq, where the number of travelers exceeded half a million 2019.
With regard to the travel procedures that he explained travelers are required to perform a PCR test 72 hours before departure and obtain two vaccination doses of the approved vaccines in Kuwait, and these procedures are applied to departing and arriving travelers, explaining that departing travelers must be citizens. Non-Iraqis must obtain a prior visa from the embassy, as there is no issuance of visas at the ports.
Colonel Al-Azmi indicated the Ministry of Interior is fully vigilant in securing the Abdali port, and is also using the latest advanced devices, in addition to the security men who patrol the border on foot, from the control tower and the radar system to prevent any smuggling or infiltration between the two sides.
He added, buses are provided around the clock to transport passengers who leave and arrive especially those who do not have a vehicle, while allowing individuals to leave in their own vehicles.