The Iraqi Border Guard Command announced that its forces successfully arrested 44 individuals attempting to illegally cross the country’s borders during a new operation in the provinces of Wasit and Duhok. The detainees were found carrying passports from various Asian countries.

This step, according to the official statement, comes within the framework of the Border Guard’s ongoing mission to safeguard national sovereignty and prevent smuggling and illegal entry. All detainees have been referred to the relevant authorities for investigation and legal action.

Earlier, Interior Ministry spokesperson Miqdad Mari revealed that in just the first six months of this year, 2,054 people were arrested for theft or illegal border crossing by the Border Guard. These figures highlight intensified security efforts to control Iraq’s borders and curb unauthorized entry of foreign nationals.