Baghdad sweep nets 70 arrests, including 56 foreign nationals

BAGHDAD — Baghdad Operations Command said Wednesday that 70 people were arrested on various charges in a security campaign that covered 14 areas across both Karkh and Rusafa. Among those detained were 56 foreign nationals accused of violating residency and nationality laws.

The command said the operation focused on raiding sites with unlicensed weapons and apprehending suspects wanted under judicial warrants. Infantry units, Federal Police divisions, and the Rapid Response Brigade took part, supported by Karkh and Rusafa police commands and intelligence agencies.

The areas targeted included Abu Disheer, Al-Batool, Shuhada al-Obaidi, Al-Ameen, Jurf al-Naddaf, Al-Habibiya, Kam al-Arman, Al-Shoala, Al-Muwasalat, Al-Turath, Al-Furat, Al-Maqaitimat, Shaakha 1/Mahmudiya, and Amsha-Bustan Haseeba/Tarmiya.

Security forces seized unlicensed weapons and ammunition. All detainees were referred to judicial authorities.

The announcement follows a Sept. 9 Interior Ministry operation in Baghdad’s Al-Saada and Al-Rashad areas that led to 166 arrests and the seizure of 126 weapons. On Monday, joint forces also carried out a search in Husseiniya in northern Baghdad, where they confiscated more unlicensed firearms.