Iraq says Syria border ‘fully secured’ as fighting intensifies in northeast

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s interior minister has that the country’s border with Syria is “fully secured” and warned that any attempt to approach the frontier would be met with immediate gunfire, as fighting escalates in northeastern Syria.

Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari told the state news agency that the ministry “monitors and follows daily what is happening in Syria and anticipated these events three years ago,” saying Iraqi authorities reinforced the international border, “especially with Syria,” by digging a trench extending about 620 kilometers.

“We have thermal cameras operating day and night at the border points,” al-Shammari said, adding that “any approach toward the Iraqi border will be met with opening fire.”

He said Iraqi forces deployed along the frontier are adequately equipped and staffed, with reserve units prepared to intervene if needed. “All security efforts on the Iraqi borders are supported by Army Aviation and the Air Force,” he said. “Our Iraqi borders are fully secured and we are not concerned.”

The comments come as a ceasefire and integration deal in northeastern Syria between the Syrian transitional authorities and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces appeared to unravel shortly after it was announced Sunday. New clashes erupted between government forces and the SDF around contested towns and detention facilities, including prisons holding Islamic State detainees.

Fighting resumed on Monday, with the SDF reporting casualties and the loss of control over some sites, leading to prison breaks and disorder in several compounds. In response, the SDF issued a statement calling on “all of our youth” to “join the ranks of the resistance,” signaling broader mobilization against advancing government forces.

The deal had been intended to halt recent fighting, integrate Kurdish forces into the Syrian national army and transfer control of key territory and detention facilities to Damascus. Renewed clashes and mutual accusations of violations quickly followed, raising doubts over the truce’s viability.

Separately, security units from Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces said they arrested a senior Islamic State commander late Monday after he infiltrated from Syria into the Mosul desert. The suspect was accused of overseeing IS cells and planning attacks in both Iraq and Syria.