Iraqi pro-govt troops says on high alert ahead of parliamentary elections
Soldiers of al-Hashd al-Shaabi.
A statement by the media service of al-Hashd al-Shaabi said, “as the Iraqi parliamentary elections, slated for May 12, near, the troops became on high alert to secure the border strip fearing any violations in Anbar and border areas.”
The troops, along with security troops, “managed to carry out operations on the common borders with Syria in 2017 to eliminate IS members in Qaim, Rawa and Akashat regions as well as securing their vicinities,” the statement added.
“Local police and army, backed by al-Hashd al-Shaabi, were tasked with securing the regions and towns that are near to the western desert of Anbar ahead of elections,” it said.
On Monday, the Joint Operations Command said the airstrike launched against Islamic State members in Syria helped thwarting a terrorist scheme in Iraq. A new wave of air raids against outposts of the Islamic State group in Syria was launched on Sunday.
In April, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi denied intentions to intervene within Syrian affairs, saying airstrikes against Islamic State will continue.
Iraq had previously announced launching airstrikes against IS locations in Syria. This came after Abadi said security troops will follow IS militants in the whole region, not only in Iraq.
The Iraqi-Syrian borders are under the control of joint troops of military and border guards.