Baghdad municipality launches operation to clear encroachments in Mureedi market

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Baghdad Municipality has launched a new field operation targeting fixed and unauthorized encroachments in the central Müridi Çarşısı (Mureedi market), the municipality's official spokesperson, Adî Cendel, told the government newspaper. Cendel said the latest step completes earlier operations aimed at removing fixed encroachments inside the market. The spokesperson said field work against illegal use of sidewalks and public spaces would continue alongside the capital's renovation projects without disruption. He added that mobile vendors' working arrangements would be reorganized through new mechanisms, with their livelihoods protected within a legal framework. Cendel said some mobile vendors would face fines, while encroachments that conflict with the city's redevelopment plans would be removed. He noted that sidewalks are public property and that occupying them in full constitutes a legal violation. The municipality said encroachments-removal operations would continue across all districts of Baghdad without exception, with public spaces to be reorganized accordingly.