Two inmates die in Basra prison; Babylon police shut unlicensed clinics

BASRA, Iraq — Two inmates died in a prison in Basra from health-related causes, local security sources said. One had been held on human trafficking charges and died from complications of illness, while the other, detained on drug-related charges, died after suffering a stroke. In a separate development, police in Saladin province said they carried out preventive operations in their area of responsibility, arresting multiple suspects wanted on terrorism, theft, kidnapping and forgery charges. No further details on the number of detainees or specific operations were immediately available. In Hilla, the central city of Babylon province, police conducted a broad inspection based on intelligence targeting patient brokers, the provincial police said. According to the statement, certain individuals had been redirecting patients to doctors to obtain unlawful gains, causing harm to patients. During the operation, unlicensed nursing offices and dental clinics were shut down, the police added. Judicial proceedings related to the cases are ongoing.