BaghdadcTypeface:> Iraq will start sending Syrian soldiers who fled their country during the opposition forces’ advances to overthrow Bashar al-Assad earlier this month back to Syria, a Ministry of Interior spokesman said.
"Iraqi authorities will begin today, Thursday, to return Syrian soldiers to their country after coordinating with the concerned Syrian authorities through al-Qaim border crossing,” the spokesman said in a statement. Military sources said that more than 2,000 Syrian soldiers fled to Iraq as the opposition forces advanced towards Damascus, until al-Assad fled on December 8. The state-run Iraqiya TV reported on Thursday that Syrian military forces have been deployed, alongside militia groups, at Syria’s al-Bukamal crossing - the other side of Iraq’s al-Qaim. (DPA)