As part of ongoing field follow-up of the security situation along the borders, the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, accompanied by the Army Chief of Staff and the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, visited Ain Al-Asad Air Base on Wednesday, 21 January 2026.

The visit included aerial and ground tours covering several areas of responsibility along the border strip. It began with inspecting border surveillance points and assessing control and security measures implemented by the forces operating in the area.

The visit also included a field review of unit readiness and the security plans in place to control the area of responsibility, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

This visit is part of a series of field tours aimed at strengthening border control, preventing potential threats, supporting all security forces in their areas of responsibility, and enhancing their operational capabilities.

Earlier, the Iraqi Army Chief of Staff, General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, the Commander of the Ground Forces, and a number of senior army Commanders, oversaw on 18 January the official and complete handover of Ain Al-Asad Air Base from U.S. forces.

This took place in accordance with the provisions of the security agreement and following negotiations and understandings conducted through a joint technical committee.

The base was handed over to Iraqi forces under technical arrangements chaired by the Army Chief of Staff, with the membership of the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations and several Iraqi Army commanders, paving the way for a transition to a new phase of security cooperation.

In another development, the Commander of the Iraqi Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Mazen Abdulwahid Kbayan, conducted an official visit to the State of Qatar, during which he met Iraqi naval students studying at the Qatari Naval College.

He listened to a detailed briefing on the stages of their training and the curriculum of their course, and reviewed the progress of the training program.

He also provided several remarks and directives, emphasizing that morale is a fundamental and important component of the course. He noted that the results achieved by the Iraqi naval students were honorable, reflecting the joint efforts and continuous follow-up by the Commander of the Iraqi Naval Forces. These efforts aim to create an ideal academic and training environment that reflects the bright image and high level of discipline that characterize the students of the Iraqi Naval College. (Iraqi Ministry of Defense; Photo © Iraq News Agency)