The head of the National Intelligence Service, Hamid al-Shatari, confirmed on Sunday that the situation in Syria directly affects Iraq, noting that Baghdad has sent direct messages to Damascus regarding security threats. He also mentioned the presence of ISIS cells in the Badia regions of Homs and Damascus, and pointed out that there are 2,000 Iraqi terrorists from the group held in Hassakeh prisons.
Al-Shatari, speaking at the “Baghdad Dialogue” conference, which was followed by the Baghdad network, said, “The recent events in Syria represent a turning point in the region,” expressing hope that “this will contribute to enhancing stability, despite some concerns regarding armed groups and areas of conflict in the region.”
He added, “The Iraqi and Syrian theaters are closely interconnected, and what happens in Syria directly affects Iraq, and vice versa. Iraq has sent clear security messages to Syria about the threats posed by some extremist groups, as Iraq has suffered recently from the sending of suicide bombers and narcotics across the border.”
He further stated, “Iraq was not necessarily keen on supporting Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria as much as it was concerned about understanding the alternatives in case the situation there changes,” emphasizing that “Iraq has sent messages respecting the will of the Syrian people.”
Al-Shatari explained that “Iraq gives special importance to fighting the terrorist ISIS gangs, as there are still cells of these gangs in areas like the Badia of Homs and Damascus.”
He also mentioned that there are about 30,000 displaced persons in Syrian camps from 60 nationalities, along with 9,000 ISIS militants detained in Hassakeh prisons, including 2,000 Iraqis, and added, “We want to know how the new Syrian administration will handle this issue.”
Al-Shatari also expressed concern about the weapons seized by some armed groups, including ISIS, after the fall of the previous Syrian regime.
He emphasized that “Iraq continues to send messages and communicate with the Syrian leadership to achieve positive results, and there has been interaction with them.”
