Iraq says border crossing with Syria closed after Assad’s fall

AMMAN, Jordan

Iraq has completely closed the Al-Qaim border crossing with Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, Iraqi media said on Sunday.

The Al-Qaim crossing, located in the Al-Qaim district of Anbar province which borders Syria, is a key passage for both travelers and goods between the two countries.

"The Al-Qaim border crossing is completely closed, and the Iraqi border is secured. There is no movement in or out of this crossing," read a statement carried by the state news agency INA.

"On the Syrian side, there are no armed opposition forces or what remain of the Syrian regime forces," it added.

Military spokesman Major General Yahya Rasul said that the situation along the Iraq-Syria border is under complete control of the Iraqi forces.

"The border is heavily fortified, and the presence of Iraqi border guards, along with the army and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), ensures complete security," he added.

Major General Khairallah Issa, commander of the Second Border Division, said Iraqi forces are fully prepared for any potential developments.

“All border areas are monitored with over 105 cameras, and there is no need for further reinforcements. Our current weaponry is sufficient, and the crossing remains closed,” he added.

Assad fled Syria to an unknown location after anti-regime groups took control of the capital Damascus early Sunday, marking the collapse of the Baath Party regime, which had been in power in Syria since 1963.

It came over a week after anti-regime groups seized control of Aleppo, a major city in northern Syria.

​​​​​​​* Writing by Ikram Kouachi