Air defenses intercept drone near Abu Ghraib prison

BAGHDAD — Iraqi air defenses shot down a drone that attempted to approach Abu Ghraib prison west of Baghdad on Monday, the Security Media Cell said, moving quickly to reassure the public after reports circulated about developments near the facility.

“Air defenses were able to deal with a drone that attempted to approach the vicinity of Abu Ghraib prison, where it was handled in accordance with approved procedures without recording any notable breaches,” Security Media Cell head Saad Maan said. He added that “Abu Ghraib prison does not house any detainees convicted in terrorism cases, and the security situation is fully stable.”

The clarification appeared aimed at preventing speculation about a repeat of the prison’s history — the facility was the site of a major jailbreak roughly a decade ago — amid a broader wave of drone and missile activity across Iraq linked to the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

The Security Media Cell called on the public and media outlets “to rely exclusively on information issued by it and to refrain from circulating rumors or inaccurate news.”