Baghdad, Iraq – The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, conducted an extensive field inspection tour this morning, Wednesday, which included Ain al-Asad Air Base and the border strip with Syria. This tour aimed to assess the readiness of the armed forces in light of the rapidly evolving security situation in the region.
Highlights of the visit
Ain al-Asad Air Base: This visit marks the first of its kind for al-Sudani since the handover of the base from the international coalition forces began. It was subsequently transferred to the full control of the Iraqi armed forces.
Air Force Showdown: The Prime Minister witnessed the takeoff of a squadron of four F-16 fighter jets, as part of a tactical exercise dedicated to reconnaissance, surveillance, patrol missions and rapid response.
Border inspection: The tour included monitoring the readiness levels and field movement of the deployed formations and units that control the Iraqi-Syrian border strip.
Objectives of the field trip
The Sudanese official stated that this tour comes as part of direct monitoring of the readiness of military units, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the highest levels of vigilance to secure the international borders. These movements coincide with field reports indicating that Syrian army forces have taken control of the al-Yarubiyah border crossing opposite the Iraqi side in al-Hasakah Governorate.
Security context: This visit comes at a sensitive time as the Iraqi state seeks to consolidate its full sovereignty over military bases. Furthermore, the state aims to secure the country’s strategic depth against any potential security breaches.
