Part of Baghdad 'Charlie' alert lifted after armed-group threat

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi authorities partially lifted a "Charlie" security alert in Baghdad that had been imposed to protect Counter-Terrorism Service units, security sources said Wednesday. The alert had taken effect Thursday afternoon. Earlier, a security source said Counter-Terrorism Service forces had been redeployed to Baghdad from Najaf, Saladin and Anbar provinces. The same source said intelligence units had obtained information that armed groups could target Saudi Arabia, prompting the movement of troops. The decision was linked directly to the policy of consolidating weapons under state control, according to the sources. Officials said there was no further room for delay and that weapons must be brought under state authority, warning that force would be used if this was not possible. Recent rotations among security forces are being assessed within the same framework, the sources added, without providing further details.