Iraq’s government said on Tuesday it would close its borders with Syria and Iran and extend the hours of a night curfew in Baghdad under a United States-backed security plan to rein in violence in the capital.
The measures ordered by Shi’ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki were announced on Iraqiya state television by Lieutenant General Abboud Qanbar, the Iraqi commander who is leading the security offensive in Baghdad.
Qanbar said the borders would be closed for 72 hours. He did not say when the closures would take effect.
The measure would extend Baghdad’s night vehicle curfew of 11pm-6am to 8pm-6am. Baghdad’s international airport, which has been closed down in security operations in the past, will not be affected.
US officials accuse non-Arab Shi’ite Iran of funding and training Iraqi militants attacking US forces in Iraq. American and Iraqi officials have accused Syria of not doing enough to stop alleged foreign fighters from crossing into Iraq.
On Monday bombings in popular markets in Baghdad killed at least 77 people and maimed scores. — Reuters