A young man wearing shorts is seen being detained and placed into a police vehicle by officers in Fallujah as part of a campaign targeting “indecent clothing” in public spaces.
Anbar
Fallujah police launch arrests over wearing shorts in public
ANBAR — Police in Fallujah have launched a campaign to detain young men wearing shorts in public, citing the need to preserve tribal and social customs in Anbar governorate.
“The Fallujah Police Directorate has launched a campaign to arrest young men who wear shorts in public places,” Anbar Police Command’s media office told 964media. “This campaign is part of a series of measures aimed at preserving societal and tribal traditions in Anbar governorate.”
Authorities did not specify how many arrests have been made or whether the campaign will continue indefinitely.
No further comment was available from Anbar police regarding potential legal justifications or public responses to the campaign.
On April 6, police in Iraq’s Wasit governorate announced a similar campaign targeting young people wearing shorts in public, describing the clothing as “inappropriate” and “incompatible with local traditions.” The Wasit Police Command said at the time it would conduct inspections of cafes, coffee shops, and public areas to enforce the measure.
In 2019, Kirkuk police banned what it described as “improper clothing,” including shorts, in public places, labeling it as inappropriate for young men. That decision sparked widespread reaction on social media, with users responding with a mix of surprise, sarcasm, and occasional support.