Basra man killed by suspected celebratory gunfire at Shatt al-Arab wedding

BASRA — A young man was killed Friday in Shatt al-Arab district east of Basra after being struck by what a security source said was suspected celebratory gunfire during a wedding-related celebration, with the source saying the victim was shot accidentally by a friend.

The source told 964media that security forces intervened and arrested the groom’s father and the singer performing at the event pending an investigation.

Authorities have opened an inquiry to determine the circumstances of the shooting. Witnesses and others involved in the event are being questioned, and police said legal measures will be taken against those responsible for the random gunfire.

Celebratory gunfire remains a common and dangerous practice in Iraq during weddings, religious occasions and sporting celebrations, and it has caused repeated injuries and deaths from stray bullets.

In July, police in Kirkuk arrested three people after a video showed celebratory gunfire during a wedding convoy. In September, Karkh Police arrested two men accused of firing a handgun from a motorcycle in Baghdad after video circulated on social media.

Iraq has also expanded measures aimed at reducing unlicensed weapons, including a firearms buyback program launched last year by the Interior Ministry.