Iraq Tightens Border Security Amid Escalations in Northwest Syria
BAGHDAD, Iraq (North Press) – Iraq has intensified security measures along its border with Syria in response to recent developments, as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other Turkish-backed armed factions continue their offensive in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
Spokesperson for Iraq’s Border Guard Forces, Haider al-Karkhi, confirmed Friday that additional preparations have been made to prevent any potential spillover from the escalating violence in Syria. “Alongside heightened surveillance, we have intensified operations following the new situation in Syria. Our forces are on maximum alert,” al-Karkhi said.
Since Wednesday, HTS (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and allied Turkish-backed factions have launched coordinated attacks on Syrian government-held areas, capturing numerous villages, towns, and parts of Aleppo city.
Border Security Upgrades
Al-Karkhi detailed ongoing efforts to fortify the border. “We have installed over 210 kilometers of concrete walls along the border in Nineveh province toward Anbar, and an additional 100 kilometers of walls will be constructed next week,” he said.
He emphasized that the measures are unprecedented in Iraq’s history and aim to prevent illegal crossings and movements in these sensitive areas. “There is no opportunity for infiltration or unauthorized activity along the border with Syria,” al-Karkhi added.
Political Concerns
The situation has also drawn the attention of Iraqi political leaders. Hoshyar Zebari, a member of the political bureau of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, urged the Iraqi government to take preventive and deterrent actions to protect Iraq’s borders from militant groups operating in Syria.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Zebari said, “Ahrar al-Sham, Jabhat al-Nusra, and other extremist factions in Aleppo and Idlib in northern Syria have launched a coordinated assault on Aleppo and its towns.”
He continued, “The Iraqi government must take preventive and deterrent measures to ensure that these factions do not reach our borders or infiltrate our territory.”
Broader Implications
The new wave of violence in northwest Syria has raised concerns not only in Iraq but across the region, as it threatens to destabilize neighboring countries. Iraqi officials are particularly wary of HTS and other factions spreading instability to Iraq’s borders, which have historically been a corridor for illicit activities and militant movements.
The fortified border wall, combined with heightened military readiness, reflects Iraq’s determination to prevent a recurrence of the chaos that previously allowed extremist groups like ISIS to exploit the porous frontier.
However, analysts warn that the situation remains fluid, as Turkish-backed factions consolidate their gains in Syria, potentially triggering further regional repercussions.