Opposition supporters defending their right of assembly, gather in Red Square as part of a campaign protesting against Vladimir Putin’s presidency, as they hold white ribbons to symbolize their protest movement in central Moscow. — Reuters

BAGHDAD — Iraqi security forces were on high alert for several hours until Sunday morning following clashes between the Syrian army and rebel forces near the border, officers said.

“Our forces stepped up security after clashes broke out and explosions were heard on the Syrian side of the border,” border guards Captain Ali Juwair said. “The warning means we have to be on full alert, and we have to stay in our positions unless advised to do otherwise.”

Juwair said the clashes were between Syrian government troops and the rebel Free Syrian Army at several checkpoints in Albu Kamal.

He said later that the alert level was lowered on Sunday morning, but did not specify a time.

An Iraqi army liaison officer said that the clashes broke out at around 11:00 P.M. Saturday, at which point Iraq’s forces were put on alert. “We received a call from an Iraqi army division deployed near the border, informing us of the clashes on the Syrian side, and it was requested that soldiers take precautions and not get involved unless there was a crossing of the border,” he said. — AFP