Iraqi forces on high alert on Syrian border

BAGHDAD, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Ministry of Defense said Wednesday that Iraqi Security forces are on high alert and prepared to defend the borders from the threat of Islamic State (IS) militants.

"Daesh (IS group) are drawing their last breath in the Syrian town of al-Baghouz, and our forces are closely observing the situation and ready for any emergency," a statement from the ministry quoted Abdul Hussein Swadi, commander of the Army's 8th Division, as saying.

"Iraqi Security forces have received orders to respond to any possible Security breach at the border with Syria," Swadi said.

Iraqi Security force and paramilitary Hashd Shaabi brigades are deployed on the borderline between Syria and Iraq, which extends to roughly 600 km in west of the two provinces of Nineveh and Anbar.

The long borderline between the two countries has long been used by insurgent groups and IS militants for logistic support and to carry out cross-border attacks in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.