Iraq shuts borders in security crackdown

Iraq is beginning to close its borders with Iran and Syria to stem the flow of foreign fighters and weapons into the country, the US military said.

Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Garver said: "The plan to close the borders went into effect last night.

"Many points were closed, but I can't confirm that all were shut."

Iraq had said it would shut the borders for 72 hours. The US military said the aim was to allow procedures and the layout of border positions to be revamped.

Washington accuses Syria of allowing foreign fighters to cross its long porous borders into Iraq and says Iran is supplying weapons, including roadside bombs, to Iraqi militants to kill US soldiers.

The two countries deny the claims.

Iraq said on Tuesday it would close four border crossings with Iran and two with Syria. The border crossing with Iran near the southern oil city of Basra was closed on Thursday morning, a security source said.

Meanwhile, four US soldiers have been killed by roadside explosions during combat operations in Iraq's Diyala province on Wednesday.

Three soldiers died when bombs exploded near their vehicles northeast of Baghdad. A fourth died later of his wounds in hospital.

The deaths came as US and Iraqi forces set up checkpoints and stepped up patrols in Baghdad as a long-promised offensive against militants got under way.

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