Head of the Intelligence Service: Iraq sent clear messages to Syria about security threats

Baghdad-INA  

Head of the National Intelligence Service Hamid Al-Shatri confirmed today, Sunday, that what is happening in Syria directly affects Iraq, noting that Baghdad sent direct messages to Damascus about security threats, and while he referred to ISIS gang cells in the deserts of Homs and Damascus, he pointed out the presence of two thousand terrorists from the organization's militants from Iraq in Hasakah prisons.
 
Al-Shatri said during his participation in the activities of (Baghdad Dialogue) conference, which was attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The recent events in Syria represent a turning point in the region," expressing his hope that "this will contribute to enhancing stability, despite some concerns related to the presence of armed groups and places of conflict in the region."
 
He added that "Iraqi and Syrian arenas are closely interconnected, and what is happening in Syria directly affects Iraq, and vice versa, and Iraq has sent clear security messages to Syria about the threats posed by some extremist groups, as Iraq has been harmed in the past period by sending suicide bombers and narcotics across the border."
 
He continued, "Iraq was not keen to support Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria as much as it was interested in knowing the alternatives in case the situation there changed," stressing that "Iraq sent messages respecting the will of the Syrian people."
 
Al-Shatri explained that "Iraq attaches special importance to the issue of fighting the terrorist "ISIS" gangs, as there are still cells affiliated with these gangs in areas such as the desert of Homs and the Levant."
 
He pointed out that there are about 30,000 displaced people in Syrian camps from 60 nationalities, in addition to 9,000 ISIS members detained in Hasakah prisons, including 2,000 Iraqis, and we want to know how the new Syrian administration will deal with this file."
 
Al-Shatri also expressed his concern about the weapons that were seized by some armed groups, including ISIS, after the fall of the former regime in Syria.
 
He stressed that "Iraq continues to send messages and communicate with the Syrian leadership to achieve positive results and there is interaction with it."