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Iraq revisiting security plan for Syrian border at Baghouz

Following the liberation of the Syrian border town of Baghouz, Baghdad is planning a new border control strategy to make sure no terrorists find their way into Iraq.

The al-Qaim gate is closed at the border between Iraq and Syria at  al-Qaim in Iraq, November 27, 2018. Picture taken November 27, 2018.  REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC1669CDDD20
The al-Qaim gate is closed at the border between Iraq and Syria at al-Qaim in Iraq, Nov. 27, 2018. — REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani

The Iraqi government is working on a new plan to beef up security and protect its border with Syria to keep terrorists from crossing over. This way, Iraqis can benefit from the recent liberation of Baghouz, Syria, from the Islamic State (IS) and the control of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) over the area.

In Baghdad's eyes, securing the border is a major step toward restoring security and stability in Iraq. The government hasn't had total control of the border area for the past 15 years. The Iraqi parliament’s Security and Defense Committee warned of the dangerous situation there, as IS members might try to conduct attacks in Iraq. For this reason, the committee recommended on April 16 buying more thermographic cameras.

Committee member Abbas al-Ismaili confirmed during a press conference that day that terrorist groups plan to take advantage of border areas that lack strong security "to coordinate attacks on Iraqi territory and create a state of chaos.”

Iraq's border with Syria extends some 605 kilometers (376 miles), running from the western province of Anbar, northeast to Ninevah governorate until it reaches Turkey. Since 2003, the border has been a source of danger, especially when IS controlled Anbar and Ninevah, giving the terrorist group room to move freely between Syria and Iraq.

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