Sulaymaniyah police arrest 26 poachers in month-long crackdown

SULAYMANIYAH — Forest and Environment Police Directorate in Sulaymaniyah arrested seven bird poachers in the Agjalar area, amid an ongoing campaign against illegal hunting activities. According to police reports, nearly one poacher has been arrested daily this month across Sulaymaniyah province.

In a statement released on Monday, the Forest and Environment Police in Sulaymaniyah announced that a patrol team operating from the Agjalar area, specifically in the villages of Garao and Bulqamish, successfully apprehended seven individuals involved in illegal bird hunting.

Authorities reported that, in addition to the arrests, one bird-hunting network was dismantled. Confiscated items included one pistol, six cartridges, one knife, and five flashlights.

The Forest and Environment Police continue to publicize daily arrests related to illegal hunting activities. Official records indicate that, during the current month alone, 26 individuals have been apprehended in areas under the administration’s jurisdiction for illegal hunting of birds and wild animals.

Individuals involved in illegal wildlife hunting face legal consequences, including potential imprisonment and additional penalties, as stipulated under the relevant environmental protection laws.

Moreover, Forest and Environment Police in Sulaymaniyah reported the arrest of 37 individuals for illegally logging trees in protected forest areas as part of a month-long crackdown on illegal logging from Nov. 27 to Dec. 27, 2024.