Defense Minister arrives at Iraqi-Syrian border

Baghdad - INA

Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed Saeed Al-Abbasi arrived today, Thursday at the Iraqi-Syrian border to review the work of the security forces holding the border strip.

A statement by the Ministry of Defense received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated that "Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed Saeed Al-Abbasi arrived at the Iraqi-Syrian border to review the work of the security forces holding the border strip with the Republic of Syria."

He explained that "the first stop of his tour was at Ain al-Assad Air Base, after which he conducted a reconnaissance tour of the strategic border line of the Seventh Division, during which he met with a number of heroic fighters and urged them to make more efforts to protect Iraqi lands and prevent the infiltration of terrorists, in addition to preventing smuggling operations."

The Minister stressed his "full support for the army and police forces deployed on the borders, in addition to providing all the equipment and supplies that help them perform their tasks and duties," praising "their great efforts to protect Iraqi lands and their tolerance of different climates."

The Minister of Defense visited the Seventh Infantry Division and was received by the division commander. He conducted an inspection tour inside the division’s model companies. He also viewed the Al-Qaim border crossing and conducted an inspection tour there.