Iraq's Border Guard Forces Commander Says Borders Fully Secured

Iraq's Border Guard Forces' Media Office

Iraqi military convoy inspecting the country's borders.

The commander of the Iraqi Border Guard Forces has affirmed that Iraq’s borders with neighbouring countries are fully secured and under strict control, denying reports of infiltration or smuggling across the various border sectors. He also noted that there is ongoing coordination with the Kurdistan Region in this regard.

According to the Iraq's state media (INA), Lieutenant General Mohammed Sakr, commander of the border forces, said the 620-kilometre border with Syria is fully secured and under a high level of control.

“There is no infiltration, smuggling or threat from the Syrian side thanks to extensive fortifications and advanced surveillance systems,” he said, adding that strong combat readiness, deep defensive lines involving the army and the Popular Mobilization Forces, as well as intelligence efforts, have made the border strip a tightly secured area.

Sakr also stressed the importance of reinforcing the 1,493-kilometre border with Iran, which extends across the governorates of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Halabja. He said the sectors securing these areas have been strengthened in coordination with the Kurdistan Region’s security forces, including the Peshmerga and the Asayish.

He dismissed reports of infiltration from Iraq into Iran as inaccurate, noting that there is continuous coordination and communication between Iraqi border brigade commanders and their Iranian counterparts. Sakr added that border areas in the governorates of Diyala Governorate, Wasit Governorate, Maysan Governorate and Basra remain stable, with close cooperation between the two countries.

Regarding the border with Kuwait, Sakr said the level of control along the 200-kilometre land border is “excellent”, noting that the area is fully covered by surveillance systems and supported by army units deployed in depth along the border strip.

He added that there have been no crossings or infiltration incidents between the two countries and that there is strong intelligence coordination between Iraqi and Kuwaiti border brigade commanders.

Sakr further stated that Iraq’s borders with Jordan and Saudi Arabia are under firm control, stressing that border security is at its best. He added that any force attempting to operate along the Syrian border will be dealt with according to the law in a manner that preserves border security and bilateral relations.



PUKMEDIA