Police arrest suspects after fight inside Baghdad’s Kadhimiya Hospital

BAGHDAD — Police in Baghdad al-Karkh said Sunday that officers arrested several people involved in a fight inside Kadhimiya Hospital, an incident that renewed concerns about security in Iraq’s medical facilities.

The al-Karkh command said the Kadhimiya police department, backed by emergency units, quickly intervened and detained those involved. It added that police “will not tolerate anyone who attempts to disrupt security or target health institutions,” stressing that legal measures will be taken to safeguard staff and ensure medical services continue.

The case follows a series of recent assaults on healthcare workers. On Aug. 19, the Maysan Health Department said it filed a complaint after a receptionist at Al-Hakim Surgical Hospital was beaten by a patient’s companion who was denied entry to the burns unit. Similar incidents were recorded in Tikrit and Kirkuk, prompting doctors and staff in Najaf to stage a protest demanding stronger protections.