INA - BAGHDAD

Security Media Cell -SMC clarified, on Tuesday, regarding the early preparations for the Arbaeen visit, indicating that there is high coordination with neighboring countries to control and secure the borders during the visit.

"Preparations for the Arbaeen visit of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) began early, as well as preparations for the month of Muharram months ago, so plans, capabilities, preparations and possibilities began some time ago," said the head of the SMC, Major General Tahseen Al-Khafaji, to the Iraqi News Agency - INA. 

He indicated that "the goal of these early operations is to obtain a safe environment and secure all roads and border crossings to ensure the safe arrival of visitors, because millions of visitors enter through the border crossings. This requires a very high level of security depth." 

"These qualitative operations were able to secure a safe environment, and visitors have continued to flock to the holy city of Karbala on foot since the first of Safar, where the march began from Basra Governorate," he added, noting that "these plans are continuing to be renewed and strengthened in sectors." 

He explained that "the units secured sufficient sectors, and are represented by one gender, meaning that every axis and security cordon for rapid response, the Popular Mobilization Forces, the Federal Police, the Iraqi Army, and all security forces secured the command-and-control unit, as well as the sector unit so that there is no intersection in orders. It was reinforced with a very large intelligence effort and aircraft for the Air Force and Army Reconnaissance Aviation. Some detachments were also prepared under the leadership of the Army Aviation to transport special medical cases via air ambulance."

Al-Khafaji pointed out that "there is very high coordination with neighboring countries; Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria; in the field of border control and securing them to obtain an appropriate security position."