Baghdad – INA
Deputy Commander of the Joint Operations Command and Head of the Supreme Security Committee for Mass Pilgrimages, Lieutenant General Qais Al-Mohammadawi, stressed on Tuesday the importance of implementing the security plans for the Arbaeen pilgrimage in accordance with the approved timelines.
According to a statement by the Supreme Security Committee for Mass Pilgrimages received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Mohammadawi continued his intensive field inspections to assess preparations for securing the Arbaeen pilgrimage of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). During his latest tour, he visited the Al-Mundhiriyah border crossing to review arrangements for receiving pilgrims arriving from abroad. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included the head of the Service Committee for Mass Pilgrimages, senior security commanders, and directors general.
The statement added that, on the sidelines of the visit, the committee chairman chaired an expanded meeting at the border crossing attended by the Iranian side, during which both parties agreed on joint coordination mechanisms to ensure the smooth and efficient movement of pilgrims in full compliance with Iraqi laws and regulations.
The agreement included direct coordination on thorough inspection procedures, the unification of security databases and information, setting daily entry quotas, and reinforcing the border crossing with additional computer systems to accelerate processing, facilitate procedures, and prevent congestion.
The meeting also emphasized coordination between the corresponding Iraqi and Iranian authorities, particularly the departments of nationality, residency, passports, intelligence, and narcotics control, along with other specialized agencies, to ensure immediate cooperation and address legal violations.
The statement noted that the meeting also discussed logistical and service-related matters, including an integrated transportation plan beginning with securing and coordinating transport between border crossings as the primary phase, followed by subsequent stages of transporting pilgrims to the holy cities. The two sides also agreed to ensure the provision of all essential services for arriving pilgrims, foremost among them maintaining an uninterrupted electricity supply throughout the entry period to guarantee the continuous operation of technical and electronic systems at the border crossing.
Concluding the visit, Al-Mohammadawi stressed the need for all relevant authorities to implement the approved plans within the established timelines, while reviewing reports from previous pilgrimage seasons to identify and promptly address shortcomings and reinforce strengths in order to facilitate the entry procedures for incoming pilgrims.
