Syria seized seven anti-aircraft missiles near the Iraqi border Monday as the country steps up counter-smuggling measures and cooperation with Baghdad.

Syrian security forces discovered the SAM-7 missiles in a house in al-Bukamal, a town located just 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the Iraqi border. The weapons were being prepared for smuggling outside the country, and an investigation is underway into those involved in the operation, the Syrian Interior Ministry said. 

Why it matters: Syrian forces have carried out a number of operations targeting weapons smuggling this month. On Sunday, the government's Internal Security Forces said they arrested individuals allegedly involved in weapons smuggling to areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, “outlawed” groups in the southern Suwayda province and the Islamic State (ISIS). 

The security situation in these areas remains precarious. The deadline for the Kurdish-led, US-backed SDF to integrate into the new army is Dec. 31, and it remains unclear whether a deal will be reached. Disagreements between the group, which controls much of northeast Syria, and Damascus persist, largely over the level of autonomy the force would retain after integration. In Suwayda, clashes broke out last week between the Druze militia National Guard and government forces, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.