Iraq plans to redeploy federal forces along the country’s borders with Iran and Turkey

Iraq plans to redeploy federal forces along the country’s borders with Iran and Turkey

Baghdad announced Wednesday that it would redeploy federal guards along its border with Iran and Turkey, following repeated bombardments by both countries against opposition groups in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region.

The announcement appeared to be a direct response to Iran, which had publicly urged such a move. According to a statement issued after a government security meeting presided over by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, authorities have decided to “establish a plan to redeploy Iraqi border guards… along the border with Iran and Turkey.”

According to the statement, the initiative will be carried out “in coordination with the government of the Kurdistan region and the peshmerga ministry,” referring to the regional Kurdish forces, whose commander was also present.

The borders of Iraqi Kurdistan are currently guarded by the peshmerga, who work under the direction of Baghdad’s federal defence ministry.