Iraq Forms Security Crisis Cell to Coordinate with Syria

Asharq Al-Awsat

21-03-2025

Iraq has established a 'security crisis cell' to coordinate with Syria's new administration, a government source revealed. While the Iraqi military denied reports of clashes along the border, a local official in the Anbar province confirmed the killing of militants in a preemptive operation.
Amid concerns over potential ISIS infiltrations, Iraq's Joint Operations Command stressed that the situation remains 'completely stable.'
In a statement, it said: 'There have been no infiltrations or clashes along the Iraqi-Syrian border. Our security forces, across various units and specializations, maintain full control, reinforced with advanced surveillance and monitoring capabilities.'
Iraqi authorities continue efforts to secure the 600-kilometer border with Syria as part of their broader counterterrorism strategy. The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) recently announced the deployment of units at seven key positions near the border, equipped with weapons and thermal surveillance technology.
To enhance security coordination, Iraq has formed a national crisis cell tasked with monitoring developments in Syria and managing border security measures.
The cell includes Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed Al-Abbasi, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Intelligence Chief Hamid Al-Shatri, Sovereignty Alliance leader Khamis Al-Khanjar, and Iraq's acting ambassador to Damascus Yassin Al-Hujaimi.
According to the source, the crisis cell operates under direct supervision of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, with no actions or decisions taken without his approval.
The inclusion of Sunni politician Khamis Al-Khanjar is reportedly aimed at facilitating communication with Syria's new leadership, headed by interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.
Iraqi political sources suggest that Al-Khanjar, who maintains strong ties with Türkiye's government, has direct contact with Syria's new administration and has visited Damascus multiple times following the collapse of Bashar Al-Assad's regime in December.
The source added that Iraq and Syria's strategic position—bordering Türkiye, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon—creates shared security and political challenges. The complex security situation in both countries makes the region highly susceptible to regional and international interventions.
Saad Al-Mohammadi, head of Anbar's security committee, assured that 'the security situation along the Syrian border is completely stable, with strong defensive fortifications in place.'
He stated that Iraqi border forces are operating 'with high efficiency to prevent smuggling and infiltration attempts.' He also confirmed that two militants were recently killed in a preemptive operation, highlighting the ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The Iraq-Syria border remains a critical security concern due to its open desert terrain, which militant groups have historically exploited for smuggling and cross-border movements.
In response, Iraqi authorities have intensified military fortifications, particularly in Anbar, which spans 605 kilometers along the Syrian border.