Three arrested after hookah embers start grass fire at Halabja tourist hotspot

HALABJA — Halabja police arrested three suspects Tuesday in connection with a fire that broke out the previous day in the Nawroli tourist area after they allegedly threw hookah embers into dry grass.

The suspects were arrested by order of an investigating judge. Residents and volunteers helped contain the blaze, which locals said could have caused heavier losses without their intervention.

Residents called for tighter monitoring in tourist areas and urged visitors not to damage the natural environment. The incident comes as fire incidents begin to increase ahead of summer.