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Turkey looks to Iraq trade amidst Syria violence

Turkey said Tuesday it will consider using Iraq as an alternative transit route for trade with the Middle East, cutting out Syria entirely as Damascus faces broad economic sanctions over its deadly crackdown on an 8-month-old uprising. Syria has been a main transit route for Middle East trade, which Damascus hopes will help cushion the […]

Elizabeth A. Kennedy reports for The Associated Press:

Turkey said Tuesday it will consider using Iraq as an alternative transit route for trade with the Middle East, cutting out Syria entirely as Damascus faces broad economic sanctions over its deadly crackdown on an 8-month-old uprising.

Syria has been a main transit route for Middle East trade, which Damascus hopes will help cushion the effects of tough new sanctions from the Arab League and Turkey. On Monday, Syria warned that Damascus could use its strategic location to inflict economic damage of its own.