Baghdad: Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani discussed security developments in Syria with the Commander of the U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, with a particular focus on areas surrounding prisons holding ISIS terrorist elements.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sudani received Admiral Cooper on Friday, during which both sides reviewed the security situation in Syria, especially the prisons detaining ISIS members. These facilities continue to face threats of attacks aimed at freeing detainees, posing a serious risk to the security of Iraq and the wider region.

The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining ongoing coordination and communication between Iraqi security and military leaderships and the International Coalition forces, as well as organizing and distributing tasks within specific timelines.

Al-Sudani noted that the Iraqi leadership has an early assessment of potential regional developments, prompting the government to adopt proactive plans to secure Iraq’s borders. These measures include fortifying the borders through unprecedented methods, repatriating the largest possible number of Iraqi families from certain camps, and continuing political and security efforts with relevant regional parties.

The Prime Minister commended Admiral Cooper’s role in completing the requirements for ending the mission of the International Coalition and handing over Ain Al-Asad Air Base to Iraqi forces. He also praised the coalition’s support for Iraq in its fight against terrorism and ISIS.

For his part, Admiral Cooper praised Iraq’s role within the International Coalition and expressed his gratitude, on behalf of the coalition and the international community, for Iraq’s effective security step in receiving ISIS detainees. He affirmed the coalition’s readiness to provide logistical and technical support and to continue cooperation with Baghdad at the highest levels.