Iraqi premier orders tightening security along Syrian border to face terrorist groups
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi stressed on Sunday the need for tightening security along the border with neighboring Syria to eradicate terrorist groups scattered there.
Abdul-Mahdi made the remarks Sunday during a visit to the headquarters of the Joint Operations Command, where he held a meeting with military and security leaders, Iraqi website Almaalomah quoted Abdul-Mahdi’s media office as saying in a statement.
During the meeting, the premier listened to a detailed explanation on efforts exerted to maintain security on the Iraqi-Syrian border and protect Shitte visitors taking part in the Arbaeen religious commemoration.
Abdul-Mahdi further praised “heroic acts shown by the Armed Forces in the fight against Islamic State terrorists,” saying that such heroism will be part of curricula taught at military academies.
He also stressed the importance of taking all precautionary measures to pursuit and eliminate IS terrorist everywhere, particularly in the border areas between Iraq and Syria.
During a parliament session on Wednesday, Abdul-Mahdi was constitutionally sworn in as new premier of Iraq, announcing almost half of the new cabinet.
A total of 220 MPs out of 329 attended the Wednesday’s session, during which 14 ministerial posts were announced.
Iraqi politicians have been in a deadlock over the formation of a new government since an election in May.
Under an informal power-sharing agreement in place since the 2003 ouster of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, the position of Iraqi president goes to a Kurd.
The parliament speaker should be a Sunni Muslim, and the prime minister should be a Shi’a.