Iraq’s Security Media Cell announced Friday the arrest of 31 Syrians with explosives in their possession trying to infiltrate Iraqi territories.
In a statement, the Cell said that in an ambush, the security forces stopped 31 Syrians as they tried to cross the border from al-Raqqa to Iraqi territories.
It added that security forces found explosives in their possession.
The detainees were handed over to the competent authorities for further investigation.
A security official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the operation was conducted after a tip-off that some ISIS members were planning to infiltrate the border from the area of Im Jreiss.
Al-Rafidain Operations Commander Major General Jabbar Al-Tai said Iraq is taking a series of measures to prevent the infiltration of terrorists through the border.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon said American and other NATO forces would maintain “a long-term presence” in Iraq to help fightextremists and to check Iranian influence in the country.
The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
