Iraq is taking steps to halt the movement of ISIS militants and drug smuggling along its border with Syria by imposing new security measures.
The 600-kilometre border between the two countries is controlled by a variety of forces, including the Iraqi military, Syrian army, US-backed Kurdish forces, Iran-backed militias and rebels who are anti-government.
“One of the biggest challenges is there’s no one single or unified security partner on the Syrian side,” Lt Gen Abdul Amir Al Shammari told Reuters.
The main issue, Gen Al Shammari said, is coming from Syria. The Iraqi side is more secure because it is under control of state forces.
As tensions increased between Washington and Tehran the border was seen as a hot spot that is intensifying owing to the presence of ISIS and Turkish pressure on Kurdish fighters.
Iraqi army spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Rasool, said on Monday that the army is exerting all efforts to ensure that borders with Syria are secure after orders from Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi.
Gen Rasool said security forces are focusing their operations on north-east Syria, where they believe ISIS militants are hiding.
“So far we have seen positive results,” he said.
Security experts believe that controlling the border with Syria is a cause for concern for the Iraqi government.
"The 600km border requires constant monitoring but Iraq has launched various operations since last year to control the borders," chief of Iraq Institute for Strategic Studies and security expert Moataz Moheddin said.
Co-ordination between Baghdad and Damascus is needed to ensure the safety of borders, he said, especially because the Syrian army does not control the majority of its borders.
On Wednesday, Iraq’s intelligence service said it arrested three ISIS fighters in an undercover operation in the northern province of Kirkuk.
Despite the government announcing victory over ISIS in 2017, remnants and cells of the group still regularly stage hit-and-run attacks or plant explosives across the country.
This week, authorities seized drugs and unlicensed weapons belonging to a criminal network in Baghdad.
Nearly 20 drug dealers were arrested for running a network in the capital and other cities across the country.
Authorities said that seven kilograms of drugs were seized, including crystal meth, hashish and marijuana.
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
January 24 – First T20, Lahore
January 25 – Second T20, Lahore
January 27 – Third T20, Lahore
February 7-11 – First Test, Rawalpindi
April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi
April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 300hp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: Dh189,900
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Read more about the coronavirus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
