BAGHDAD, Jan 21 (NNN-NINA) – Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, spoke yesterday with Syrian interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, over the phone, to discuss border security, amid concerns about potential Daesh militants’ infiltration from Syria.
Al-Sharaa affirmed his country’s commitment to securing the shared borders between the two countries, and praised the Iraqi government’s efforts and measures in this regard, according to a statement by al-Sudani’s media office.
He called for strengthening bilateral coordination to secure the borders, pursue the remaining Daesh terrorists, and reopen the border crossings, between the two countries, it added.
For his part, al-Sudani voiced Iraq’s dedication to Syria’s security and stability. He stressed the importance of resolving crises through dialogue, ensuring the rights of all components of the Syrian people, and safeguarding the unity of Syrian territory and its sovereignty.
On the same day, al-Sudani chaired an emergency security meeting, to discuss the fast-evolving developments in Syria and related regional challenges. In a statement, Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces, said that, Syria must maintain full control over its prisons, to prevent the escape of terrorists or criminals.
The Syrian army said Monday that, it has taken control of the Shaddadi area and its prison, holding thousands of Daesh suspects in north-eastern Hasakah province, after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported a loss of control over the facility, amid escalating clashes.
The army said, it secured the prison complex and launched search operations, to recapture escaped inmates, whom it accused the SDF of releasing during recent clashes.– NNN-NINA