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Two Thousand Soldiers.. Baghdad Opens Borders to Receive Fleeing Military from Syria
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Iran-Aligned Foreign Fighters' Withdrawal from Syria Indicates Fundamental Change in Regional Power Balance and Declining Iranian Influence
Iraqi authorities allowed hundreds of Syrian military personnel withdrawing from battles through Al-Qaim border crossing, according to two security sources.
Iraqi security official revealed Saturday that "number of Syrian soldiers entering Iraq reached two thousand personnel between officers and soldiers," explaining "their entry came in agreement with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and approval of Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief," Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Second official reported wounded among "front withdrawals transported to Al-Qaim hospital for treatment."
Iraqi security source earlier told Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath about foreign elements from Iran-aligned militias withdrawing from Syria, remaining in Iraqi border city Al-Qaim.
Added that "hundreds of foreign fighters from Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan representing Iranian militias and Iraqi factions withdrawing from Syria toward Iraqi territory still present in border city Al-Qaim."
Iraqi Army Chief of Staff and Deputy Joint Operations Commander inspected Al-Qaim border crossing given Syria situation developments.
Iraq renewed recent days' assurances through various officials about border control, denying any forces or Popular Mobilization Forces currently moving toward Syrian interior.
Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit Mohammed Al-Abbasi highlighted military reinforcements dispatch toward Syrian border strip, confirming security forces' readiness to forcefully confront any breach, precautionary measures anticipating 2014 scenario repeat and terrorist elements or groups' Iraqi territory infiltration.
Levant-Agencies
