Syrian-Iraqi Meeting to Enhance Coordination and Strengthen Border Control

Welat TV – Erbil

A delegation from the Syrian Ministry of Defense, led by the commander of the border guard forces of the Syrian Arab Army, Hassan Abdul Ghani, visited the border area of al-Qaim, where it met with the commander of the Iraqi border forces, Mohammed Abdul Wahab Sukkar, to discuss mechanisms for enhancing joint coordination between the two countries.

The Syrian Ministry of Defense stated on Monday, 6 July 2026, that the two sides discussed strengthening border control measures, combating smuggling operations, and enhancing coordination between Syria and Iraq at all levels.

Abdul Ghani stated that the meeting yielded positive results that would contribute to improving coordination, as well as opening fast and flexible communication channels to strengthen cooperation between the two sides.

For his part, the commander of the Iraqi Border Forces said that the meeting established a set of understandings aimed at enhancing border stability between the two countries through joint efforts to secure the shared border.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior said the meeting—the first of its kind to be held in the al-Qaim border area—focused on improving information-sharing and coordination to help address security challenges that could affect the stability and security of the shared border region.

The Syrian-Iraqi border, which stretches for approximately 600 kilometers, faces several challenges, most notably security threats stemming from the infiltration of fighters from the terrorist organization ISIS on both sides of the border before the fall of the regime in 2024, particularly the repercussions of al-Hol Camp, which housed families of ISIS members, as well as issues related to detention facilities and prisons.

These concerns prompted Baghdad to build defensive fortifications along its border with Syria.