BAGHDAD, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani spoke Tuesday with Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa over phone to discuss border security, amid concerns about potential Islamic State (IS) militants' infiltration from Syria.
Al-Sharaa affirmed his country's commitment to securing the shared borders between the two countries and praised the Iraqi government's efforts and measures in this regard, according to a statement by al-Sudani's media office.
He called for strengthening bilateral coordination to secure the borders, pursue the remaining IS terrorist elements, and reopen the border crossings between the two countries, it added.
For his part, al-Sudani voiced Iraq's dedication to Syria's security and stability. He stressed the importance of resolving crises through dialogue, ensuring the rights of all components of the Syrian people, and safeguarding the unity of Syrian territory and its sovereignty.
On the same day, al-Sudani chaired an emergency security meeting to discuss the fast-evolving developments in Syria and related regional challenges. In a statement, Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces, said that Syria must maintain full control over its prisons to prevent the escape of terrorists or criminals.
The Syrian army said Monday that it has taken control of the Shaddadi area and its prison holding thousands of IS suspects in northeastern Hasakah province after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported a loss of control over the facility amid escalating clashes.
The army said it has secured the prison complex and immediately launched search operations to recapture escaped inmates, whom it accused the SDF of releasing during recent clashes. ■
