Iraqi troops on high alert as 60 Islamic State vehicles infiltrate coming from Syria

Iraqi troops have been on high alert after 60 vehicles of Islamic State members reportedly sneaked into Iraq coming from the Syrian side, a military source said on Wednesday.

“Information received by the military task force indicated that 60 vehicles of Islamic State members coming from Syria entered Iraq and specifically into Baaj town,” Col. Saad al-Marsoumi, of Nineveh Operations Command told Anadolu news agency.

The convoy, according to Marsoumi, is provided with weapons to carry out terrorist operations.

“Iraqi troops have been on high alert to handle the violation,” he added, indicating “a military plan that was drawn over the past few hours. All armed units, backed by fighter jets, will take part to end the violation.”

Marsoumi also stressed that “Iraqi-Syrian borders are so long. They need new security plans in order to control it and prevent infiltration of militants.”

Thousands of Islamic State militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016.

In December, the Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced gaining control on all the territories that were captured by Islamic State, since 2014. However, the group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.

Source: Iraqi News