Iraqi authorities seize over 20 locally made drones in Baghdad, arrest four

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Interior Ministry said security forces seized more than 20 locally manufactured drones and arrested four suspects in two separate operations in Baghdad on Wednesday evening. The ministry's Media and Relations Directorate said the suspects were found in possession of the aircraft in violation of conditions and regulations set by the competent authorities, and confessed during questioning that they had acquired the drones for the purpose of sale and purchase. The operations come days after the Iraqi National Security Advisory announced on July 21 that it had foiled what it described as an attempt to manufacture drones in Baghdad, leading to the arrest of three people linked to the activity. Security sources have reported in recent months that explosive-laden, launch-ready drones had been found in several Iraqi cities, including some authorities said were prepared for an attack on a diplomatic support facility near Baghdad International Airport before being seized by security forces. During the period of war between Iran and the United States and Israel, numerous drones carried out attacks in multiple Iraqi cities, with some crashing due to technical failures and others shot down, according to security accounts. No further details on the arrests or the seized drones were immediately available.