Iraqi forces begin Basra border security

BASRA, Iraq, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The Multinational Division Southeast in Iraq announced it has handed over security equipment to Iraqi officials in Basra province.

British Col. Paddy Hallinan, commander of the Multinational Division Southeast ISF Group, made the announcement saying that handing over key security equipment including X-ray machines is an effort to hand over control of some border security operations to the Iraqi Security Forces.

The two $1.5 million Backscatter Vans X-ray machines were officially handed over to Iraqi Brig. Satar, the regional chief of operations for the Department for Border Enforcement. The handover will allow Iraqi officials to control vehicles and people moving through the border control points.

"This is part of the ongoing program to enhance the screening process through ports of entry for the DBE," Hallinan said in a statement. "The Backscatter Vans’ capabilities provide significant technological enhancement, which in turn will increase the robustness of the screening process. All this is, of course, about enabling the Iraqis to protect the integrity of the country’s borders."

Officials say the Multinational Division is currently training DBE employees to operate the machines before posting them to the border.