Iraq orders rotation of all border port personnel within 48 hours

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's government has issued new directives for border crossings and customs operations, requiring all personnel at border ports to undergo rotation within 48 hours without exception. The Interior Ministry's Border Forces Command has been ordered to close all land and sea illegal crossing points and rotate all brigade and unit commanders stationed there. The government also decided that all officers, personnel and staff serving on the General Council of Border Ports will be returned to the Interior Ministry, with their departure procedures to be completed within 48 hours without exception. Security and intelligence agencies have been tasked with strengthening their roles at the ports, preventing the transit of banned and narcotic substances, and bearing legal responsibility for any security lapse or illegal crossing. The General Customs Authority's staff have been instructed to inspect all incoming goods without exception and to bar any truck from crossing before its cargo details have been examined. No further details were immediately available on the implementation timeline or scope of the rotation orders.