Baghdad operations command arrests suspects for burning landfill waste

BAGHDAD — Baghdad Operations Command announced Monday the arrest of several violators accused of burning landfill waste in the Karkh and Rusafa areas of the capital.

In a statement, the command said the arrests were carried out as part of the efforts to reduce environmental pollution caused by emissions and odors from random burning operations.

The statement said security forces detained several individuals who burned landfill waste in the al-Mushahada and al-Nahrawan areas on the Karkh and Rusafa sides of Baghdad. According to the command, the burning produced gases and odors that contributed to environmental pollution.

The statement added that the measures are part of ongoing efforts by Baghdad Operations Command to protect the health and safety of citizens.

Earlier this month, Baghdad Operations Command announced the closure of four plastic recycling facilities in the Zawra district of eastern Baghdad for violating environmental regulations.

Baghdad has long struggled with pollution driven by industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, diesel generators and unregulated waste burning. In December 2025, authorities shut down 326 facilities including 208 metal smelting kilns and 118 asphalt and brick factories for violating environmental and health regulations. That action came after an emergency meeting convened by Baghdad Governor Atwan al-Atwani in November to address what officials described as a deepening air-quality crisis, with key sources identified as the Rashid Camp waste dump, the Nahrawan landfill, brick factories and widespread waste burning in residential areas.

Iraq Green Observatory, an environmental monitoring group, warned earlier this year that rainfall in heavily polluted cities including Baghdad and Basra poses health risks comparable to acid rain due to high levels of air contamination.