Peregraf
Iraq has significantly increased troop deployments to its border with Syria, shutting down all crossings to prevent a potential spillover of the ongoing conflict into its territory. This comes as Syrian opposition forces, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions backed by Turkey, achieve major gains in Syria's Aleppo region.
Qais Mohammedawi, deputy commander of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, reassured citizens of the country’s readiness, stating, "Security forces can protect Iraq and are ready for any challenge."
The move reflects growing regional concerns as Syrian opposition forces have taken control of much of Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city, in a lightning offensive. The rebel groups have swept through villages and military bases east of the city, delivering a devastating blow to President Bashar al-Assad's forces. This marks the first rebel incursion into Aleppo since it was retaken by government forces in 2016.
By Saturday morning, the opposition forces had seized Aleppo's airport, key military sites, and dozens of towns across Aleppo and Idlib provinces. The rapid advance, met with little resistance, underscores a significant shift in the conflict that had remained relatively static in recent years.
The rebels’ success poses the most substantial challenge to Assad’s regime since Russia's military intervention in 2015 turned the tide of the war in his favor. While government and Russian aircraft have launched bombing raids on rebel-held areas, the swift advances by HTS and its allies have left critical parts of Aleppo and Idlib under opposition control.
Meanwhile, Syria’s backers, Iran and Russia, appear to be distracted by their own geopolitical challenges, further complicating Assad’s ability to mount a counteroffensive.
Iraq’s decision to close its borders highlights the broader regional implications of the conflict. Analysts warn that the escalating violence in Syria could destabilize neighboring countries, particularly as the opposition’s control of Aleppo solidifies, potentially cutting off government supply lines and disrupting long-standing power dynamics in the region.
As the Syrian conflict reignites, Iraq is bracing for any potential consequences spilling over from the renewed turmoil in its western neighbor.