The Baghdad Operations Command announced the arrest of 13 suspects, including a “women’s” gang involved in human trafficking, and the seizure of a number of weapons, equipment, and other prohibited items.
In a statement on Facebook today, Wednesday, the command stated that the security operation was carried out in cooperation between the security sectors of the Iraqi Ministries of Defense and Interior, along with their affiliated units, and with intelligence support.
The statement added: “During the past 24 hours, the forces were able to arrest 13 suspects according to various legal provisions, including a gang consisting of two women under Article 5 of the Human Trafficking Law. They were arrested inside an apartment in the Al-I’lam district adjacent to Al-Karkh, and others for various crimes (organized and criminal, drugs, theft, possession of unlicensed weapons, and violations of residency and citizenship conditions).”
Furthermore, it stated: “In addition to seizing weapons, equipment, and other prohibited items, in various areas of the capital Baghdad.”
On Saturday, The Iraqi Security Media Cell within the Joint Operations Command announced that the Iraqi National Intelligence Service successfully dismantled two international networks consisting of 40 foreign nationals in Baghdad and other provinces.
Human trafficking in Iraq has been a significant issue over the past few years, largely exacerbated by the country’s ongoing conflict and instability. Iraq has been a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor. The complex security environment, displacement of populations, economic hardship, and weakened rule of law have contributed to the persistence and growth of trafficking activities.
