Iraq, Saudi Arabia sign agreement to boost cooperation on drug control

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Health Minister Saleh Mahdi Al-Hasnawi signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Interior Minister Abdulaziz bin Saud on Wednesday in Riyadh, establishing new channels of cooperation in combating drug trafficking and related crimes.

Al-Hasnawi, who also heads Iraq’s National High Commission for Drug Control, said the agreement aims to strengthen joint efforts to counter the production, trafficking, and distribution of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and chemical precursors.

According to a statement from Iraq’s Health Ministry, the memorandum outlines 17 areas of collaboration, including intelligence sharing, technical training, and coordination on early warning systems and drug prevention strategies.

The two sides also discussed national drug policies and the roles of the health and interior ministries in both countries. The agreement includes commitments to expand awareness campaigns and enhance cooperation with judicial authorities to enforce laws against traffickers and distributors.

In the first quarter of 2025, Iraqi authorities arrested 3,006 people for drug-related crimes, and courts issued 973 sentences, according to the General Directorate for Narcotics Control. In 2023, more than 19,000 arrests were recorded, with 15 tons of narcotics seized and at least 17 suspects killed during clashes with security forces.

Between January and August 2024, Iraqi courts issued 140 death sentences and 500 life sentences for drug offenses.