Interior Ministry says 166 arrested, 126 weapons seized in Baghdad raids

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s Interior Ministry on Tuesday announced the arrest of 166 people and the seizure of 126 weapons in a security operation in Al-Saada and Al-Rashad areas of Baghdad’s Al-Zawra district.

In a statement, the ministry said those detained included five suspects wanted for murder under Article 406 of the Iraqi Penal Code, one woman wanted under the law banning the Baath Party, 33 facing other legal charges, and 96 accused of possessing unlicensed weapons. Two people were arrested for drug possession, 28 foreign nationals for residency violations, and one individual for motorcycle theft.

The seized items included 85 rifles, 26 pistols, five Semenov rifles, three hunting rifles, one RBK, five hand grenades, and a rocket launcher. Police also confiscated two grams of crystal meth, 343 expired medicines, and shut down three unauthorized workshops in coordination with the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime.

The ministry said suspects were transferred to police stations in Akkad and Al-Zawra, while the confiscated items were handed to relevant authorities. It pledged to continue “implementing similar operations to seize unlicensed weapons, pursue wanted persons, and cut off sources of crime, in order to strengthen security and protect stability in the capital, Baghdad.”