The source added, “There is US and Iraqi governmental interest in securing the two roads leading to the Terbil border crossing between Baghdad and Basra. Jordan shares the same interest because it wants to revive trade exchange between the two countries.” Abadi had voiced his intention to commission this task to American companies during his office meeting with the representatives of parliamentary blocs in the Iraqi parliament in March.
Anbar spokesman Eid Ammash told Al-Monitor, “Olive [which merged with the US’ Constellis Group in 2015], will secure the road between Baghdad and Anbar, reaching the Terbil border crossing that leads to Jordan. The company has already signed a contract with the Iraqi federal government in this regard.”
He added, “The company will work independently, and there won’t be any meddling in its work. But it will coordinate with the federal and local governments and will submit monthly reports about its work to the local Anbar government.”
Fahed Rashed, the head of the Border Crossings Committee in Anbar, said April 6, “5,000 volunteers hailing from tribes will participate alongside Olive company to secure the highway in Anbar.”
Although Abadi talked about securing the road between Safwan in south Iraq and Terbil in the west, Jabar al-Saidi, the head of the security committee in the Basra provincial council, and council member Ahmad al-Saliti claimed they did not know about such an agreement.
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