Iraq has intensified its crackdown on unauthorized weapons and drone operations, with authorities announcing the seizure of 49 drones and the closure of 71 fake headquarters claiming to be affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
Major General Miqdad Miri, head of the Relations and Media Department at Iraq’s Ministry of Interior, said on Monday that any drone flown without the required official approvals would be treated as a serious security threat.
He said the judiciary could treat unauthorized drone activity as terrorism, particularly where drones are possessed or used for non-peaceful or illegal purposes. Those responsible could face prosecution under Iraq’s anti-terrorism law.
71 fake PMF headquarters closed
Miri said authorities had shut 71 locations whose operators falsely claimed affiliation with the PMF, as part of a broader campaign to bring weapons and armed activity under state control.
The ministry also closed 119 weapons shops, including outlets operating with expired licences.
The PMF later said the individuals operating the fake headquarters had no connection whatsoever to the organisation.
Six million weapons in database
The Interior Ministry said its committee overseeing weapons regulation has been implementing a national policy since January 2023.
The programme consists of four stages: establishing a national weapons database, registering privately held firearms, carrying out inspection and control operations, and ultimately achieving sustainable security and development.
The process is scheduled to be completed by 2030.
Miri said the committee’s database currently contains information on around 6 million weapons across Iraq.
More than 500,000 weapons have been registered through applications submitted by citizens, while 160,759 licences for carrying or possessing firearms have been issued.
The authorities have also withdrawn 55,264 firearms from civilian ministries and transferred them to the Ministry of Interior.
Government pushes weapons under state control
Miri said the committee had also tracked 9,089 weapons seized by security agencies and recorded 277,278 weapons handed over to Iraqi authorities by international coalition forces.
The government has set the end of September as the deadline for armed factions to hand over their weapons, coinciding with the planned withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq.
The weapons-control campaign is aimed at ending unauthorised armed displays, strengthening state control over weapons and improving security and economic stability.
The latest drone seizures highlight growing government concern over the use of unmanned aircraft outside official channels, particularly amid heightened regional security tensions.
Authorities are continuing to monitor drone ownership and operations, with unlicensed or unlawful use potentially exposing operators to prosecution under Iraq’s counterterrorism legislation.
