Iraq-Turkey Railway Reopens

16 February 2010 (Last Updated February 16th, 2010 18:30)

Iraq and Turkey have reopened a rail link joining Iraq's northern city of Mosul to Turkey's south-eastern city of Gaziantep, the first regular rail service in decades. The 500km route, passing through Syria, will take nearly 18 hours and cover two international borders, according to the

Iraq and Turkey have reopened a rail link joining Iraq's northern city of Mosul to Turkey's south-eastern city of Gaziantep, the first regular rail service in decades.

The 500km route, passing through Syria, will take nearly 18 hours and cover two international borders, according to the BBC.

Services will operate on a weekly basis, with trains departing from Mosul on Tuesdays and from Gaziantep on Thursdays.

The two countries expect to boost mutual trade though the new railway.