Iraq treats drug trafficking as terrorism, military spokesperson says

BAGHDAD — Iraq is pursuing a preemptive strategy against international drug trafficking networks, targeting cross-border supply routes and financing to protect national security, Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, said Thursday.

In a statement, Numan described drug trafficking as a form of “soft warfare” targeting Iraq’s internal security. “When examining the map of threats that cross national borders and the challenges facing the state during its recovery and stabilization, it becomes clear that defensive battles to preserve the nation are not limited to confronting traditional terrorist organizations that openly carry weapons on the battlefield,” he wrote.

Iraq also faces less visible threats from transnational organized crime networks involved in drug trafficking, which he linked to suspicious financial interests and agendas aimed at undermining national security. “These threats target the internal front and seek to undermine the foundation of national strength represented by young people through the flow of drugs managed by transnational organized crime networks,” he said.

“Security commanders approach drug trafficking as a structural and direct extension of contemporary terrorism,” Numan wrote, calling for an intelligence-led response.

Deterrence should not stop “at pursuing users or small-scale dealers on the outskirts of cities,” he said. “It must extend to strict preemptive strikes targeting international routes, cutting supply lines and dismantling financing hubs that seek to turn land borders into channels for their illicit trade.”

Border guards, intelligence agencies and security forces are coordinating to strengthen surveillance and deploy technical monitoring systems to close gaps along Iraq’s borders, Numan said.

Families, schools, religious organizations and the media also have a role, he said. “Protecting the minds of young people and safeguarding society from falling victim to this soft invasion is a shared responsibility.”

Public awareness must complement security operations on the borders, he said. “National security is complete when every citizen recognizes that they are the first line of defense in protecting their environment and surroundings.”

Three foreign nationals suspected of international drug trafficking were arrested in Iraqi territorial waters after an exchange of gunfire, and 30 kilograms of drugs they had thrown overboard were recovered, the Interior Ministry said Sunday. Earlier this month, Iraqi forces intercepted a boat in Iraqi waters carrying 90 kilograms of hashish and arrested three foreign nationals, acting on a tip from a neighboring country, the narcotics directorate said. A fourth suspect escaped.

On Wednesday, government adviser Abdul Amir Taiban said the closure of the al-Sheib crossing with Iran was needed to stop drugs and counterfeit currency from entering Iraq.

In the first quarter of this year, security forces seized 1,147 kilograms of drugs and arrested 3,742 people, 1,815 of whom were convicted, and courts handed down 26 death sentences and 119 life sentences in drug cases, the Interior Ministry said. There were 19 armed clashes with traffickers in the same period, in which one member of the security forces and three traffickers were killed.