Iraq's Interior Ministry says 446 terror suspects arrested since start of 2026

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Interior Ministry said on Friday that 446 people sought under Article 4 of the country's counter-terrorism law have been arrested since the beginning of 2026. The ministry's Director of Media Relations, Maj. Gen. Mikdad Miri, said the arrests were carried out by the Intelligence Falcon Cell operating under the direct supervision of the deputy director of the General Intelligence Directorate. According to Miri, the cell conducted field operations to locate wanted suspects through intelligence gathering, analysis and surveillance, and the individuals were referred to judicial authorities. He said the results reflected the unit's ability to track people wanted in cases involving terrorism, murder, kidnapping, theft and arms smuggling. The ministry official added that the operations had narrowed the movement of suspects and prevented them from evading justice. The Interior Ministry said security agencies would continue operations across the country to reinforce stability and the rule of law. No further details on the arrests were immediately available.