Iraqi Army Tightens Security on Border with Syria

Iraq's Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammad al-Sudani (AFP)
Iraq's Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammad al-Sudani (AFP)
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Iraqi Army Tightens Security on Border with Syria

Iraq's Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammad al-Sudani (AFP)
Iraq's Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammad al-Sudani (AFP)

The Iraqi army forces escalated security measures on the border with Syria to tighten the security gaps between the two countries.

An official source of the local administration of al-Anbar governorate announced that army forces had begun field reconnaissance operations on the border strip areas with Syria.

According to the source, a security force from the Army's 7th Division, accompanied by high-ranking security leaders, toured the areas of the border strip with Syria ahead of moving the army forces from within the cities, according to the directives of the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammad al-Sudani.

The redeployment aims to fill security gaps and clamp down on ISIS terrorists, who often carry out infiltration operations in desert areas.

According to Iraqi intelligence information, the remnants of the terrorist organization are moving in those areas.

The source added that according to the security plan, the army forces would be at a distance of 15 km in the Iraqi depth, while the border guards would hold the first line of defense.

He pointed out that the security plan was to transfer the army forces outside the cities and hand over the security to the local police forces and the tribal mobilization forces, explaining that the evacuation of army positions from inside the towns comes after the security situation has stabilized.

The source confirmed that the new security plan focuses on maintaining border security and redeploying army forces in the desert areas of the province to prevent any breaches.

Meanwhile, the US military announced that a facility belonging to the International Coalition in Deir Ezzor Governorate, eastern Syria, was hit by five missiles, wounding a US service member.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the Koniko gas field in Deir ez-Zor was hit by missiles fired from areas held by the regime forces and Iranian militias stationed in the city.

The Observatory indicated that planes of the "International Coalition" responded by shelling the positions of the Iranian militias in al-Omal and Harabish neighborhoods in Deir Ezzor, where violent explosions were heard in the city.

Lawmaker of Fatah Alliance Intisar al-Moussawi called for ending the "repeated US violations" on the border between Iraq and Syria.

Moussawi said in a press statement that Iraq still hasn't implemented the law passed by the parliament to remove all US forces from Iraqi territory.

She asserted that Iraq's sovereignty was one of the most critical steps that must be consolidated by the government during the coming period by obliging the US administration to remove all its forces from Iraq.

Moussawi pointed out that the US presence on Iraqi soil means it continued to violate the country's sovereignty through repeated attacks on the border.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.