The leader of the Shiite National Movement, Mr. Muqtada al-Sadr,  called for the implementation of a set of urgent procedures and measures to confront the security threats on the Iraqi border with Syria, warning of the dangers of releasing “the outliers” from Syrian prisons, and the resulting increase in the level of danger after their cooperation with the buried members of the Baath Party.

Mr. Al-Sadr called on the government to demand that the Syrian authorities hand over the Iraqis in prisons. He also called on the government to demand that Jordan hand over members and leaders of the Iraqi Baath Party, men and women, pointing out that there are plans for cooperation between the Baath and “outliers.”

He also stressed the activation of air defenses to protect holy sites and prisons, and raising the level of preparedness of all official security forces, calling on the Iraqi people to exercise caution and report any suspicious behavior, and not to interact with sectarian strife that increases internal and external tension.

Mr. Al-Sadr held the central government and local border governments responsible for any violation of the border or the entry or exit of weapons and terrorist elements, stressing the need for the military and security leadership to closely follow the border crossings.

He stressed the role of Friday and congregational imams in raising prayers to protect Iraq and educating the people about the dangers of terrorism and sectarianism with wisdom and good advice, in addition to auditing and investigating the presence of Syrians on Iraqi territory.