Iraq detains 11 foreign nationals for residency violations in Najaf

NAJAF, Iraq — Iraq's Interior Ministry said authorities detained 11 foreign nationals in Najaf for violating residency laws, according to a statement from the ministry's Civil Status, Passport and Residency Directorate. The operation was carried out under the instructions of Deputy Minister Hussein Awadi and the direct supervision of Director General Major General Nashat Ibrahim Hafface, the statement said. It was coordinated by the Najaf directorate's head, Brigadier General Hadi Yassin, as part of an inspection campaign targeting individuals acting in violation of Residence Law No. 76 of 2017, administered by the Residency Department. The 11 people were apprehended and referred for legal proceedings. The ministry said the cases will be processed in accordance with the law. No further details on the nationalities of those detained or the specific violations were immediately available.