Syria begins loading Iraqi oil shipments for re-export

Syria began loading its first tanker carrying Iraqi oil on Wednesday at the Baniyas port refinery after Iraq was largely unable to export during the Middle East war. Because of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, Iraq's exports came to a halt, forcing Iraqi authorities to largely suspend production.

According to the Syrian Petroleum Company deputy CEO, the agreement allows Syria to take the oil they need for power plants in order to generate electricity, while the surplus is exported.  The Iraqi oil ministry said in early April that it had begun exporting oil by truck through neighboring Syria.