By Anas al-Bar | 2025-03-17

The Iraqi government has implemented stricter border control measures and fortifications along its frontier with Syria, effectively constraining international trafficking networks and reducing the influx of narcotics, official sources said.

"A fundamental aspect of our strategic anti-drug plan involves intensifying border fortification operations, both with Syria and other neighboring countries," Ministry of Interior spokesman Brig. Gen. Muqdad Miri told Al-Fassel.

The enhanced security measures include increased deployment along the border, intensified aerial surveillance and the roll-out of cutting-edge detection technologies to identify smuggling routes and hotspots, Miri said.

The comprehensive strategy also focuses on enhancing operational readiness to thwart smuggling attempts, while strengthening intelligence sharing and cross-border coordination with neighboring countries, he added.

"Our border forces have played a crucial role in reducing smuggling to its lowest levels through these implemented measures," Miri said.

So far this year, Iraqi security forces have arrested approximately 800 international and Iraqi drug traders, as well as hundreds suspected of involvement in drug distribution and use, Miri said.

They have seized about two tons of narcotics.

'Significant disruption'

The crackdown has significantly disrupted major drug trafficking networks operating within Iraqi territory, security analysts said.

But they warned that drug traffickers may redirect more operations through the Iranian border after being squeezed out of Syrian routes, presenting new challenges for Iraqi security forces.

"Drugs enter Iraq through two main routes -- westward from Syria and eastward from Iran," strategy expert Tariq al-Shammari told Al-Fassel.

Following the fall of the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Iraqi government doubled down on fortifying its western front to prevent both terrorist infiltration and smuggling operations, he said.

The border is now well-secured with an integrated protection system of barriers, cameras, patrols and outposts along the entire strip, al-Shammari said.

But the nearly 1,500km Iran-Iraq border, with its diverse terrain including mountains, plains and waterways, poses a particular challenge for security forces, he said.

Iraqi security regularly intercepts drug shipments at Iranian border crossings and thwarts smuggling attempts via marsh waters and drones, though stricter measures are still needed to completely shut down trafficking routes, he added.

He indicated that trafficking networks are using drone technology and routes through marshlands to circumvent border controls.

"Most drugs circulating in southern Iraq, particularly dangerous crystal methamphetamine, originate from Iran," al-Shammari said.

More action is needed to stop the flow of these substances, he said.