Iraq’s security service says it foiled drone-making operation in Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s National Security Service said Tuesday it had foiled an attempt to manufacture drones in Baghdad, arresting three suspects and seizing 25 drone frames along with assembly and production equipment.

The operation followed intelligence gathering and was carried out under the supervision of a judge from the Third Investigative Court, which handles cases involving the service, the agency said. Its forces executed judicial arrest and search warrants against the suspects, and investigators found a workshop containing carbon fiber panels, manufactured components and technical supplies used in production.

“This attempt was thwarted before it was completed,” the agency said, adding that investigations were continuing to determine whether the activity was linked to “any plans affecting national security” before the suspects are referred to the judiciary. The service published a video on Tuesday documenting the operation.

The announcement came a day after a senior Iraqi security source told 964media that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government had begun developing a system to classify armed factions into three risk tiers based on factors including religious ideology, missile and drone capabilities and foreign ties. The source said the system is being developed by the supreme committee for disarmament and weapons control in coordination with judicial authorities and multiple security agencies.