Iraq seized 2,797 weapons in July under arms control drive, ministry says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Interior Ministry said 2,797 weapons of various types were seized and confiscated in July as part of an ongoing campaign to regulate firearms and bring them under state control. Maj. Gen. Mansur Ali Sultan, the ministry's official and secretary of the Commission for Bringing Weapons Under State Control, outlined the figures in a statement to the state news agency. According to the ministry, security forces also confiscated 16,616 rounds of ammunition of different calibers, 325 rockets and bombs, and 1,072 explosive materials of various types during the same period. Separately, 2,106 weapons — mostly pistols — submitted by citizens to government offices were registered, including firearms presented through airport application channels. The ministry said 293 light weapons were withdrawn from civilian ministries. Registry offices also recorded 20,792 light personal weapons owned by citizens. Sultan said the work to regulate weapons and bring them under state control would continue.