The engineering effort in the first division of the Iraqi army began today, Wednesday, the implementation of the initial stages of the defense line strategy in the depths of the Hauran Hills, in the far northeast of Diyala. This operation is part of measures to enhance the security of cities and towns by moving deeper to cut off the critical infiltration routes of ISIS cells from two provinces, protecting over 300,000 residents of liberated cities and villages.
A security source stated, "The initial stages of the defense line have commenced, which is a multi-objective security strategy in the Hauran Hills that have for years been akin to fire hills due to the intense events and the spread of ISIS cells. However, the situation has changed in recent years through a joint security effort that has contributed to significantly reducing the threat posed by the organization."
He added, "The defense line, which will extend at least 30 kilometers deep, will be accompanied by the establishment of observation points and deployments in the depth area, especially with the impending handover of the security file for Diyala to the police and the transition of combat units to the vicinity of major cities within permanent camps that consider the distribution of forces on distant fronts to ensure strong control over the perimeters."
In this context, security expert Munther al-Tamimi noted that "the defense lines are defensive lines with three specific goals; to cut off any infiltration routes for terrorists, re-establish control at the peripheries, and ensure deployment through points and positions while advancing into the depths. This will enhance the security around cities, villages, and rural areas and provide greater flexibility for expanding security belts."
Al-Tamimi added, "Securing Hauran means eliminating what remains of the dormant ISIS cells and cutting off any infiltration routes coming from Salah al-Din or Kirkuk, especially given the geographical intertwining – referring to the Hauran Hills – which extend between the three provinces and its winding paths serve as permanent infiltration points for sleeping cells."
