Interior minister denies PMF withdrawal from Syria border amid reports of repositioning

BAGHDAD — Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari denied Saturday that Popular Mobilization Forces units had withdrawn from the Iraq-Syria border, saying security forces remain fully deployed and in control.

“The security forces, in all their formations, have full control over the Iraqi-Syrian border,” al-Shammari said, rejecting reports of redeployments and affirming “continuation of security deployment according to planned strategies.” He said forces maintain “high readiness to secure the border strip.”

The denial follows reports of PMF withdrawals or repositioning in parts of Nineveh, Anbar and Diyala governorates, though no official confirmation has been issued regarding those movements. The Iraq-Syria border has long been a critical security concern for Baghdad, with PMF units playing a central role in preventing IS from exploiting the frontier.

The statement comes amid heightened security activity linked to the regional conflict. Airstrikes have hit PMF positions across multiple governorates since the war began Feb. 28, with the group reporting casualties in Nineveh, Anbar and areas around Baghdad. Drone and rocket attacks have repeatedly struck the U.S. Embassy compound, the Victory Base Complex and other diplomatic and government facilities in the capital.