Syrian rights group says people went missing since Iraqi troops recaptured border villages
Iraqi-Jordanian borders.
Activists, from the London-based the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, indicated mysterious situation of some people from al-Herya and al-Suwai’eya villages, located on borders, since they were detained by al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) in November 2017.
Combat operations, according to the activists, were carried out there, as PMFs advanced toward Islamic State locations in Iraq, which resulted in recapturing the two villages, located on the border strip from the Syrian side. At that time, the Syrian army was advancing in Syria.
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 Islamic State 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.
Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.