syriastew.com

The Syrian government took a group of journalists and officials, including the U.S. military attache, on a tour of the Tanaf border post, hoping to showcase new security measures on its long border with Iraq on Saturday.

U.S. and Iraqi officials have long been criticial of the Syrian government, claiming it had not done enough to prevent insurgents from using the borders. Tighter visa restrictions went into effect on Oct. 1, and the number of Iraqis crossing the Syrian border seems to have dropped dramatically.

Saturday’s tour was a rare opportunity for foreigners to view the military outposts–new ones have been constructed, at times only 400 yards apart, each manned with six soldiers.