The Syrian Future Movement is closely following the announcement by the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Iraq of enhanced security cooperation between the two countries to combat arms smuggling across their shared border. This stems from the importance of this issue in consolidating security and stability, preserving state sovereignty, and confronting cross-border security challenges.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that border control and preventing arms smuggling are fundamental pillars for building a modern state, establishing the rule of law, and protecting societies from the dangers of organized crime, armed groups operating outside state authority, and anything that threatens national and regional security.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that the security of Syria and Iraq is intertwined due to geography and shared interests. It believes that successful security cooperation between them will contribute to curbing smuggling networks, enhance regional stability, and pave the way for expanding economic and trade cooperation and the movement of people and goods through secure and regulated border crossings.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that any security cooperation must be conducted within the framework of full respect for the sovereignty of each state, adherence to international law, and in a manner that preserves citizens’ rights, protects public freedoms, and prevents the use of security measures outside their legal framework.
Based on this, the Syrian Future Movement proposes the following:
- Developing mechanisms for security and intelligence coordination between Syria and Iraq to ensure the rapid exchange of information related to arms smuggling networks and organized crime.
- Strengthening the capabilities of border guards through training, equipment, and modern technologies to enhance border monitoring efficiency and reduce smuggling operations.
- Implementing advanced electronic surveillance systems at border crossings and in border areas to help detect smuggling operations and curb illicit activities.
- Intensifying judicial cooperation between the two countries to prosecute those involved in arms smuggling and to cut off funding sources for transnational criminal networks.
- Supporting economic and service development in border areas to reduce the conditions exploited by smuggling networks to recruit local residents.
- Developing official border crossings and facilitating legitimate trade to boost the economy and reduce reliance on illegal routes.
- Expanding the scope of bilateral cooperation to include combating drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering, as these are interconnected challenges affecting the security of both countries.
The Syrian Future Movement expresses its hope that this security cooperation will constitute a step towards building a balanced strategic partnership between Syria and Iraq, based on respect for sovereignty, strengthening common security, and serving the interests of the two peoples, in a way that contributes to consolidating stability and development in the region.
