Iraq denies clashes on Syrian border near al-Bukamal
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Iraqi Interior Ministry on Saturday denied reports of clashes along the Iraqi-Syrian border near al-Bukamal in eastern Deir Ezzor, calling circulating news “false,” according to a ministry statement.
The denial follows a Friday report by a military source in Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) acknowledging clashes in the same border area.
Miqdad Miri, Director of Media at the Iraqi Interior Ministry, told Rudaw, “All rumors regarding clashes between the PMF and armed groups on the Syrian side are not true.”
Haider al-Karkhi, media director for Iraq’s Border Guard Command, added that border guard units are stationed at the frontline along the 618-kilometer Iraqi-Syrian border, which spans Nineveh and Anbar governorates. He noted, “In the event of any incident, border guards will be the first to respond, not the PMF, which is positioned in the rear as a support force.”