Seven arrested in Baghdad for burning medical waste, military says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Seven people were detained in the Nahravan area in eastern Baghdad for burning medical waste and causing environmental pollution, the Baghdad Operations Command announced on Wednesday. Federal Police 1st Division troops caught the suspects after they were found burning medical waste on the Rufafe side of the district, the command said in a statement. The operations command said the burning released gases and odors that harmed the environment and public health. It added that the arrests were carried out under the duties of a commission formed under Diwani Order 241285, which is aimed at reducing environmental pollution caused by uncontrolled burning. The command said necessary measures would be taken to protect public health and limit sources of pollution. Authorities added that inspections against similar violations would continue.