ERBIL — Iraqi security forces, under the supervision of the Nineveh Operations Command, have launched an operation along the Iraq-Syria border to address security gaps and enhance regional stability.

The operation targets the border island region between Iraq and Syria, an area plagued by persistent security challenges, a security source told Shafaq News on Tuesday.

“These operations are conducted regularly to ensure stability and safeguard against potential threats,” the source added, noting heightened concerns over escalating tensions in Syria and the broader region.

This move follows recent reinforcements deployed along the Iraq-Syria border in response to renewed threats, including the resurgence of Islamic State (IS) militants.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, speaking at a meeting with Arab and European foreign ministers in Riyadh earlier the week, warned of the growing threat posed by IS fighters in the Hauran Valley, which spans Iraq’s Anbar province and Syria’s Daraa city.

Hussein expressed concern about the advanced weaponry now in IS’s possession and the implications of the group’s expanding presence. “The release of 10,000 IS prisoners from the al-Hol Camp in Syria poses a significant risk, as it could lead to the group regaining control of critical regions,” he said.

The al-Hol Camp, home to the largest IS prison, remains a flashpoint for clashes and security incidents, particularly along the Syrian border with Iraq. The potential infiltration of IS militants into Iraq and neighboring countries represents a severe challenge to regional security, Hussein added.

Iraq’s joint security operation underscores Baghdad’s commitment to fortifying its borders and preventing further destabilization as the threat of IS continues to loom large.