Authorities arrest eight hunters for illegal hunting in Najaf desert

NAJAF — Iraqi authorities arrested eight hunters for engaging in illegal hunting in the Najaf desert without proper permits, the Ministry of Interior announced Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said, “Units from the Customs Police Department under the Fifth Border Forces Command apprehended eight hunters of Arab nationality while they were hunting without official authorization in the Najaf desert.” The suspects were referred to the relevant authorities, and an official report was filed.

The arrests come after new regulations introduced by the Ministry of Interior in October 2024 aimed at controlling hunting activities and safeguarding Iraq’s wildlife. Under the new rules, Arab and foreign nationals seeking a hunting permit must pay a fee of $20,000 for a hunting visa valid from Dec. 1, 2024, to Feb. 1, 2025, a permit that expired on Sunday.

Brigadier General Muqdad Miri, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, explained that all hunters must apply through licensed Iraqi security companies. These companies are required to submit applications containing detailed information about the hunters—including their names, nationalities, and passport numbers—as well as specifics about vehicles, weapons, equipment, and falcons. Each hunter is limited to two falcons, with an additional fee of $5,000 required for each extra falcon.

“Any hunter caught operating outside these guidelines, as outlined in National Security Council Decision No. 19 of 2023, will face doubled fees and other penalties,” Miri said. He also emphasized that hunting permits are issued only if hunters comply with Iraq’s Wildlife Protection Law (No. 17 of 2010) and provide a detailed hunting itinerary approved by security authorities.

The regulations further require security companies to sign contracts with hunters, ensuring compliance with Iraqi laws and holding them fully responsible for any violations. The Ministry of Interior stated that these measures aim to protect Iraq’s fragile ecosystems and prevent overhunting, particularly in areas like the Najaf desert where illegal activities threaten endangered species.