Iraq Reveals Details of Thwarted Attempt to Smuggle Explosive Materials from Syria

The Iraqi Security Media Cell announced on Tuesday that it had thwarted an attempt to smuggle explosive materials from Syria into Iraqi territory. The cell stated in a statement published by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the security forces of the 15th Division of the army managed to prevent an effort to bring in 18 bags weighing 500 kilograms filled with TNT from Syria." The cell clarified that the security forces were able to thwart the smuggling operation after "receiving accurate intelligence information from the Counter-Terrorism Service." It added that "the operation to seize these materials was carried out after forming a specialized working team and monitoring using thermal cameras across the Iraqi-Syrian border." In detail, the cell confirmed "the observation of a group of individuals in a vehicle attempting to smuggle these explosive materials through the village of (Naeem) adjacent to the border strip." They continued that "they emptied the bags there, and the seized materials were handled according to legal procedures."