Iraq sent around two thousand Syrian soldiers back to the country this Thursday (19). According to an Iraqi military statement, they had sought refuge in Iraq during the advance of rebel forces that overthrew President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.
The statement said the soldiers returned to Syria of their own free will and entered the country through a border crossing between Iraq and Syria.
“In a coordinated action with parties on the Syrian side, 1,905 Syrian officers and soldiers were legally handed over to a Syrian protection force at the Al-Qaim border crossing,” the statement said.
The confiscated weapons remain in the possession of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and will be handed over to the new Syrian government once it is established, it adds.
Troops shortly before rebels led by Ahmed al-Sharaa took Damascus on December 8 unopposed after a lightning advance that sent Assad fleeing to Russia.
The Syrian General Command led by Sharaa appointed an interim government, with until March.
The Iraqi army said Syrian troops were returned after writing statements requesting inclusion in an amnesty issued by the new Syrian authorities.
“Iraqi security forces call on the current Syrian authorities to take care of the returned officers and soldiers, include them in the amnesty and ensure their return to their honorable families awaiting them, in accordance with human rights standards and in a demonstration of good faith”, concludes the statement.
