Military intelligence arrests 25 foreign nationals for illegal entry in Diyala and Anbar

DIYALA — Iraq’s Military Intelligence Directorate announced the arrest of 25 foreign nationals who attempted to enter the country illegally through the governorates of Diyala and Anbar.

In a statement, the directorate said, “Military Intelligence Directorate arrests (25) foreigners attempting to enter Diyala and Anbar illegally,” as part of its ongoing operations to secure the borders and prevent unauthorized foreign labor from entering Iraq.

According to the statement, the arrests were carried out through separate operations by the intelligence units based on precise intelligence and in coordination with border security forces.

Security forces operations led to the arrest of 19 foreign nationals in Diyala and six in Anbar. All were attempting to cross into Iraqi territory without legal documentation.

The detainees were transferred to the relevant authorities in accordance with established procedures.

Residency Law No. 76 of 2017, which regulates the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners in Iraq, replaced a 1978 statute and remains the framework under which foreign labor is monitored and violations are prosecuted.

The arrests follow similar operations in other governorates. In late-August, Iraqi security forces arrested 85 foreign nationals, including several Arabs, for violating residency regulations during a large-scale security operation in the capital.

Earlier in August, Babil police detained 113 foreign nationals during an inspection campaign at a factory, while in April the Interior Ministry deported 38 people for breaking residency laws.

In September,  Baghdad Operations Command said 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.