Iraqi army gains control of entire border with Syria

Iraq’s military on Saturday announced it has gained control of the roughly 600-kilometer (372.82-mile) border strip with Syria, Anadolu Agency reports. Speaking to reporters during a visit to the border strip, Hamid al-Hussieni, commander of the Iraqi Border Guards, said there will no infiltration into the Iraqi territories any more.

He added that barbed wire had been installed from the Iraqi-Syrian-Jordanian triangle to the end of the northern region of the Euphrates River in the city of Qaim, located in far west Anbar province. Iraqi officials earlier revealed that the separation fence includes electrified barbed wire, and special surveillance towers with thermal cameras that have the ability to detect infiltrators throughout the day.