BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Interior Ministry is constructing 45 forts
along the nearly 1,000-kilometer border with Iran. Officials said the forts
were part of a system designed to reduce the influx of
insurgents and weapons from Iran.
The forts would be built with aid from the U.S. Army. Officials said the
Interior Ministry and the U.S. military have been determining the location
of the forts.
So far, officials said, 39 forts have been completed along the Iranian
border, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said they were constructed along ancient routes through
the mountains of the north.
Most of the forts were based on a British design. The facilities contain
living space for guards and commanders as well as offices, kitchen and
armory.
Each fort has been protected with observation posts. Each post also
contains a 50 kilovolt generator with another 50 kV generator as a backup.
"Iraq's self-governing is dependent on its ability to manage its
boundaries," David Crumpton, an engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, said. "These border forts provide facilities which will allow
them to do just that."
Officials said the forts would facilitate observation and reconnaissance
missions to prevent smuggling and infiltration. They said the forts would
also serve as bases for training and patrols.
In 2005, the Interior Ministry oversaw the construction of dozens of
forts along the Iraqi border with Syria. Officials said infiltration from
Syria has been significantly reduced over the last six months.
Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition, reported 251
border forts and 20,000 border enforcement personnel. Lynch reported a huge
increase in the number of facilities over the last 14 months. The forts have
come under the authority of the Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement.
"[They're] on a glide path to have 28,000 people to occupy these border
forts and secure Iraq's sovereign borders," Lynch said.
