PM Sudani inspects Iraq-Syria border defenses

AL-QAIM — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Wednesday visited the Iraqi-Syrian border in the Al-Qaim area to assess the readiness of Iraqi security forces deployed along the frontier in Al-Anbar and Nineveh governorates, according to a statement from his media office.

Al-Sudani, who serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, chaired a security meeting at the headquarters of the Iraqi army’s 7th Division, which is responsible for securing the border sector in Al-Qaim. The meeting was attended by the interior minister, the army chief of staff, the deputy commander of joint operations, the commanders of the ground forces and air force, the border forces commander, the director of military intelligence and senior field commanders.

During the meeting, Al-Sudani received briefings from the interior minister, the ground forces commander, the border forces commander and the director of military intelligence on measures in place to secure the Iraqi-Syrian border, challenges facing the forces and “the high level of readiness and military capabilities” available to confront potential security threats.

The prime minister stressed the need for continued efforts by all military and security units, expressing “strong confidence” in the armed forces and security services based on what the statement described as “major victories and security achievements” that have strengthened stability across Iraq.

The visit comes as fighting in northeastern Syria has intensified following the collapse of a ceasefire and integration agreement between Syria’s transitional authorities and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, raising concerns over border security and the risk of Islamic State detainees escaping from detention facilities. Iraqi officials have repeatedly said they are closely monitoring developments across the border, reinforcing deployments and surveillance systems to prevent infiltration and protect border areas in western and northern Iraq.

Earlier this week, Iraqi authorities said border forces in Al-Anbar and Nineveh remain on high alert, citing expanded fortifications, thermal surveillance and coordination between the army, border guards and air support units to counter any spillover from Syria.