Iraqi PM Orders Security Review Of Syrian Border

Published February 18, 2012 5:45PM (EST)

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's prime minister says all intelligence or tips about weapons smuggling and insurgent travel from Iraq to Syria must be investigated — no matter how weak the information may be.

Nouri al-Maliki on Saturday ordered a review of Iraq's 363 miles (605 kilometers) of border with Syria to clamp down on illegal traffic between the two counties.

Last week, U.S. intelligence chief James Clapper said a series of bombings against the Syrian regime in recent months in Damascus and Aleppo bear the hallmarks of al-Qaida. Iraqi and U.S. officials believe some of the terror fighters may be coming to Syria from Iraq.

In a statement, al-Maliki identified weapons smuggling as a top problem.


By Salon Staff

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