Iraq’s Interior Ministry dismisses rumors of impending cyber attack warning

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Ministry of Interior has refuted claims circulating on social media about an alleged warning advising citizens to avoid opening emails, files, links, videos, and stickers due to a supposed upcoming cyber attack. The ministry confirmed that these rumors are entirely unfounded.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Interior addressed the false information being spread across various social media platforms. The fabricated warning claimed that a “cyber attack is expected on Iraq,” advising people to avoid certain online content starting from 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. The statement falsely attributed this alert to Iraq’s National Security Service.

“The news is inaccurate and false,” the ministry stated after coordinating with the National Security Service. The Ministry’s Anti-Rumor Department urged social media users to rely on official sources for news and not to be misled by fake pages or rumors.

The rumors gained traction following a series of explosions on Sept. 17 and 18 in Lebanon, involving pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members. These blasts killed at least 39 people and injured nearly 3,000, though Israel has not claimed responsibility.

On Sept. 23, 2024, Basra Operations Command also dismissed claims circulating on social media that linked the Lebanese explosions to potential cyber threats, warning the public not to fall for such baseless information.