JOC: (1905) Officers and members returned to the Syrian side

Baghdad - INA

The Joint Operations Command announced, today, Thursday, the return of 1,905 officers and members and their proper handover to the Syrian side.

The command said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "On December 7, a number of Syrian army personnel, officers and ranks, as well as employees and guards of the Syrian Albu Kamal crossing, sought refuge with the Iraqi forces and requested to enter Iraqi territory against the backdrop of the recent events in Syria.

" It added, "Based on the humanitarian aspect, and after obtaining the official, fundamental approvals, the formations of our armed forces opposite the Syrian crossing worked to allow them to enter, while various committees from the Iraqi ministries, security and intelligence departments began to be formed, in cooperation and coordination with the Syrian formation that was allowed to enter Iraqi territory; to inventory the names and weapons that were in their possession," noting that "a site was secured by the Ministry of Defense for housing members of the Syrian formation, preparing all its belongings and completing the inventory related to the weapons, and keeping them as a trust with the Ministry of Defense's treasury.".

JOC stated that "yesterday, December 18, 2024, (36) Syrian employees working at the Al-Bukamal border crossing were returned to their country upon their request," explaining that "on Thursday morning, December 19, out of respect for the Syrian people and the will of the members of this formation, and upon their request, they were returned to their country via the Al-Qaim border crossing after taking written pledges from those seeking to return to their country and their honorable families, by including them in the amnesty issued by the current Syrian authorities, which included amnesty for all Syrian members and handing them over to their centers. In coordination with some parties on the Syrian side, (1905) Syrian officers and members were returned and handed over legally to a protection force on the Syrian side at the Al-Qaim border crossing.".

The Command also explained that "the Iraqi security forces call on the current Syrian authorities to preserve the officers and members who have been returned, include them in the amnesty and ensure their return to their honorable families who are waiting for them, in commitment to human rights standards and showing good faith," noting that "the weapons that were in the possession of the Syrian formation are still in the Ministry of Defense's inventory, and will be handed over to the new Syrian government once it is formed."