Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Jordan-Iraq Upgrade Border Security Measures | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Amman, Asharq Al-Awsat- Jordan has taken unprecedented security measures to prevent car bombs from entering the Hashemite kingdom in the wake of the car bomb explosion that took place at the Iraqi Al-Qadisiyah border post two days ago.

Official Jordanian sources told Asharq al-Awsat that a Jordanian security delegation visited the Al-Qadisiyah border post at the Iraq Traybil area to familiarize themselves with the Iraqi side of the operation. The Jordanian and Iraqi sides agreed to further enhance the current security measures by deploying additional security forces in the areas that are adjacent to the eastern gate, setting up sand barriers and installing the most sophisticated devices to expeditiously help expose any attempts to smuggle any types of explosives before they could reach the Jordanian borders.

The sources stated that the border employees are now more prepared than before in view of the precautionary measures that have been taken over many months. The security agencies have managed to foil many infiltration, forgery, and smuggling attempts, particularly of some types of weapons, thus improving the capabilities of the Jordanian security forces and enabling them to impose full control on the border post near Iraq, given that it is the most sensitive post in view of the difficult security situation in Iraq. This called for exerting the utmost efforts and bringing in all the necessary sophisticated devices, particularly those devices for the inspection of vehicles, trucks, and passengers who regularly cross the Al-Karamah border post coming from Iraq.

The sources also revealed that the two sides agreed to exchange information on the spot about attempts by people to carry out terrorist actions, and emphasis was placed on the need to pursue bilateral meetings to secure the smooth flow of goods and travelers in accordance with new measures that seek to offer the necessary facilities to the Iraqis.

The sources said that it was decided to open the borders between the two sides from 0800 until 1700 daily and that no one will be allowed to cross the Al-Karamah border or leave for Iraq after the set time. This requires the cooperation of all parties to save time and efforts for all concerned. The sources explained that Al-Karamah border post will remain open to the Iraqis for the transportation of goods to the Iraqi people without any delay and that stringent measures were taken by setting up checkpoints in the squares at the border post where vehicles are inspected at several checkpoints before they are allowed to enter. These checkpoints were established under the supervision of specialized and qualified cadres that have been trained for this purpose so that smuggled items are discovered expeditiously in an attempt to limit the infiltration, smuggling, and forgery attempts that used to take place from time to time.

The Jordanian security forces carried out a combing operation of the eastern gate of the border area that is on the Iraqi side of the border and approximately 12 tonnes of military debris were removed and 70 serviceable missiles were found during the combing operation. Two sources of radiation were also removed near the eastern gate of the borders. Devices for unearthing explosives and narcotics and other devices were used to deal with the explosives from far after training police dogs to pinpoint the whereabouts of narcotics.

The attack was carried out near the passports checkpoint at the Iraqi Al-Qadisiyah border post on Monday evening with a car bomb driven by a Sudanese suicide bomber whose hands have been shackled to the steering wheel with iron chains.