Officer killed, three wounded in shooting during raid in Basra

BASRA — Iraq’s Interior Ministry said Friday that a police officer was killed and three others were wounded after a security force came under direct fire in Basra during a raid targeting suspects in a previous murder case linked to a tribal dispute.

In a statement, the ministry said officer Jabbar Mawazi Obeid, a member of the Basra Police Command, was killed “while performing his national duty in Qurna district” after a security force was exposed to direct gunfire during a raid against suspects wanted in a killing related to an earlier tribal conflict.

The ministry said the attack also wounded three members of the North Basra Emergency Regiment. They were transferred to a medical facility for treatment and are in stable condition under medical supervision.

Security forces launched a wide search and raid campaign in the area where the incident occurred, resulting in the arrest of eight suspects, including four described as the main suspects directly involved in the shooting, the statement said.

Authorities also seized four rifles and a vehicle used for transportation.

The ministry said legal measures have been taken against the suspects in preparation for referring them to the competent judiciary.

It added that operations are ongoing to pursue any other individuals found to be involved, and that it will continue to pursue anyone who attacks security forces or threatens public safety.