Amid concerns about ISIS activity
Iraqi interior minister calls for readiness on Syria border
BAGHDAD – Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari directed the Fourth Brigade of the Border Forces Command to maintain full readiness to deter any aggression during a visit to Iraq’s western border with Syria on Friday. Al-Shammari emphasized providing all necessary logistical support to the troops in this sector, according to a statement from the Interior Ministry received by 964 media.
During his visit, Al-Shammari reviewed the duties performed to secure the shared borders and received a detailed briefing on the brigade’s tasks, including border surveillance, patrol operations, and securing wide areas within the sector. He also inspected facilities for producing drinking water and manufacturing ice blocks, as well as other facilities supporting the soldiers.
Al-Shammari’s visit follows the recent release of dozens of Islamic State fighters by the Syrian Democratic Forces, raising concerns in Iraq about the potential strengthening of the group and further regional destabilization.
Iraq has witnessed an uptick in ISIS activity in recent months. In mid-July, six Iraqi soldiers were killed in an ISIS attack in the Diyala governorate. In another attack in mid-May, ISIS fighters killed several members of an Iraqi Army battalion, including the battalion commander, in an area between the Salah Al-Din and Diyala governorates.
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