BAGHDAD — With the Islamic State (IS) nearly defeated in Iraq, Baghdad and Damascus have remarkably stepped up security and military cooperation. On March 29, the Iraqi Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency announced that, through coordination between the two countries, the Syrian Air Force has successfully carried out airstrikes against the Syrian cities of al-Bukamal and Deir ez-Zor near the Iraqi borders. The two areas host senior leaders from IS and other terrorist groups. The airstrikes destroyed 39 IS sites used as labs for manufacturing arms and explosive belts, killing dozens of terrorists and destroying large quantities of weapons, auto parts and infrastructures. The agency’s statement added that the targeted terrorist groups were planning to “launch large-scale attacks and take control of Syrian government buildings.”

On March 13, Syrian Foreign Affairs Minister Walid Moallem extended a formal invitation to his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari to visit Damascus to expand security and military relations and agreements between the two countries.

Speaking at the March 8 Sulaimaniyah Forum hosted by the American University of Iraq at Sulaimaniyah, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said, “With due respect to the sovereignty of other countries, I will not hesitate to strike terrorist sites in neighboring countries if they threaten the security of Iraq.”

Abadi’s statement came after Iraqi fighter jets flew into al-Bukamal within the Syrian territories on a mission to bomb IS sites there on Feb. 24. Abadi justified the move, saying he “obtained approval from the Syrian government.”