Iraqi intelligence takes over weapons smuggling probe from border operation

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's intelligence service has taken over an investigation into weapons and rockets intercepted on the Syrian side of the border, a security source said. The probe follows an operation that stopped a smuggling attempt on the Iraq-Syria frontier. Earlier, the Joint Operations Command had announced the formation of a high-level commission at the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The commission, made up of relevant institutions and specialists, is tasked with examining the details of how the weapons and rockets were to be smuggled from Iraq into Syrian territory. The command said coordination would be maintained with the Syrian side to safeguard border security and joint stability, and that those responsible would be held accountable. It added that necessary measures would be taken to prevent any attempts targeting national security. The commission's work aims to develop a detailed picture of developments on both sides of the border. No further details on the volume or type of weapons seized were immediately available.