Iraq's Anbar province completes legal, technical steps for desert highway to Saudi Arabia

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The governor of Iraq's Anbar province said legal and technical procedures have been completed to convert a 167-kilometer road from Ramadi to Nukhayb into a strategic desert highway linking to Saudi Arabia's Arar border crossing. Governor Omar Dabbush said implementation of the project, also known as the Economic Corridor, is now contingent on approval by Iraq's Council of Ministers. Dabbush said construction work is expected to begin in 2026 once the cabinet gives its expected green light. The highway will run through the Anbar desert, pass through the transit hub of Nukhayb, and connect to the Arar crossing, which serves as one of the primary land border points between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The route is used heavily by commercial trucks, Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and tourists. Iraqi officials say the project is designed to strengthen trade and transport between the two countries. No further details on the timetable or financing were immediately available.