Karkh police arrest man allegedly filmed firing handgun inside neighborhood generator

BAGHDAD — Baghdad’s Karkh Police Command said Monday it arrested a young man who allegedly appeared in a video firing a handgun inside a neighborhood electricity generator in the Jihad area of the capital, after clips of the incident circulated on social media.

In a statement, police said the arrest followed reports that “one individual fired live rounds in a showy and celebratory manner inside one of the electricity generators,” with video footage showing the shooting in the Jihad neighborhood.

Police said that “based on the directives of the Baghdad Karkh police commander, and under the supervision of the relevant department director, a joint task force was formed with the Federal Police,” adding that the force “succeeded in arresting the suspect who fired the gunshots.”

The statement said legal measures were taken and the suspect was referred “to the competent authorities in accordance with legal procedures” by the Al-Furat and Al-Jihad police station.

The arrest comes as Iraq continues efforts to regulate privately owned firearms. The Interior Ministry launched a nationwide registration program in January 2024 requiring citizens to register personal weapons through the electronic Ur platform, establishing hundreds of registration offices across Baghdad and other governorates, excluding the Kurdistan Region. Authorities have warned that unregistered weapons could be confiscated and owners could face legal action.

Interior Minister Abdulamir al-Shammari earlier ordered an extension of the firearms registration deadline to Dec. 31, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to place privately owned weapons under documented legal status. Security forces have also intensified operations targeting illegal gunfire, unlicensed weapons and tribal disputes.