Iraq’s Interior Minister, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, announced today the construction of a concrete wall along the Iraqi-Syrian border to prevent smuggling operations and combat ISIS. The Iraqi Border Guard Forces held a ceremony to mark the completion of the wall, which aims to enhance border security in the Al-Baghouz area on the border between the two countries. The Interior Minister praised the efforts of the Border Guard Forces, highlighting their role as the first line of defense for Iraq’s borders.
According to security sources, the construction of this wall is part of a series of major security fortifications undertaken by the Ministry of Interior to strengthen the security of the borders. These efforts have contributed to securing the Iraqi-Syrian border, preventing smuggling, and combating ISIS terrorist groups.
After Iraq declared victory over ISIS in 2017, marking the end of a significant territorial control by the group, the challenge has shifted towards addressing the remnants and preventing a resurgence. Despite the significant blow to ISIS, with their de facto capitals in Iraq and Syria, Mosul and Raqqa, being recaptured, the group has shown resilience by adopting guerrilla warfare tactics. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, at the time, emphasized the importance of vigilance and preparation against any future threats, indicating a shift to a new phase beyond the conventional victory over Daesh (ISIS) .
Continuing efforts to combat ISIS reflect the ongoing challenges in the region. Despite the declared victory, more than 10,000 ISIS fighters were reported to be still active in Iraq and Syria as of 2020, highlighting the group’s ability to persist and adapt, including taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to regroup and spread propaganda. This underscores the complex nature of defeating ISIS, which extends beyond military victories to addressing underlying issues and ensuring long-term stability and security in the affected areas.
