Iraq's High Judicial Council orders anti-terror law applied against drone users

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's High Judicial Council has directed security agencies to apply the country's counterterrorism law against individuals and groups using armed drones, citing a rise in such attacks across the country. The council said the use of drones by armed groups poses a serious threat to national security and instructed security bodies to improve coordination in identifying, monitoring and prosecuting those responsible. The ruling also calls on judicial authorities to prioritize cases filed under the counterterrorism law related to drone use. Officials said the measure is intended to deter militant organizations from deploying drones as a tactic. No further details on the scope of the directive or the specific groups targeted were immediately available.