Iraqi officials give assurances on border security after Al-Assad’s fall in Syria

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s military and security leaders on Sunday assured the public that the country’s border with Syria is secure and fortified, following the collapse of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime.

Reinforced with layers of defenses and increased troop deployment, the border is under tight control to prevent any spillover from the conflict in Syria.

Maj. Gen. Yahya Rasoul, spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, emphasized the readiness of Iraq’s security apparatus. “The situation along the Iraqi-Syrian border is excellent and fully under the control of our heroic forces,” he told the state run channel Al-Iraqiya. “The border is heavily fortified with Iraqi border forces, army units, and the Popular Mobilization Forces. Additional units are ready to intervene if necessary, but the existing forces, supported by advanced surveillance systems like thermal cameras, have ensured the border is secure.”

Lieutenant General Khairallah Issa, commander of Border Forces for the Second Region, provided further details on the defensive measures in place. “We have established four layers of defenses along the border: trenches, earth berms, razor wire barriers, and a 3.5-meter-high concrete wall,” he said. “The sector is secured by four brigades, six reserve battalions, and a mechanized infantry battalion, with the PMF providing additional depth. The border crossing is closed, and any breach is impossible.”

Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari highlighted recent reinforcements and coordination efforts. “We have bolstered the border with additional army and PMF units, creating a second line of defense,” al-Shammari said during a visit to Anbar governorate. “The border is fully secured with surveillance systems, including 105 monitoring cameras. We have also taken measures to support local police forces and enhance intelligence operations, especially in the desert areas near urban centers.”

Al-Shammari added that the government is closely monitoring developments across the border. “The commander-in-chief is in constant communication with security leaders to ensure the safety of the border and has issued directives to implement additional measures where necessary.”

At the onset of the recent rebel offensive in Syria, the Iraqi government voiced its support for President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani affirming Iraq’s commitment to Syria’s stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity during a phone call with Assad. To prevent spillover from the conflict, Iraq reinforced its border security by deploying additional troops along its frontier with Syria. Al-Sudani stressed that Iraq would not be a “spectator” to the escalating crisis, citing concerns over regional stability and the threat of ethnic cleansing. However, the government avoided direct military involvement, refraining from sending troops into Syrian territory.