Iraq security brief: Police dismantle drug network, Arrest mortar suspect
2026-02-17 - 21:25
Shafaq News Below is a summary of key security and public safety incidents reported across Iraq on February 17. - Asayish Dismantle ISIS-Linked Cell in Kurdistan Region (Erbil) Kurdistan Region security forces (Asayish) dismantled an ISIS-affiliated group known as the Fifth Salman Al-Farsi Brigade and arrested 10 members across Halabja, Said Sadiq, Penjwen, Garmian, and Diyala during coordinated operations with Iraqi National Security. - Interior Ministry Disrupts International Drug Network (Baghdad) Iraqi authorities disrupted of an international drug trafficking network and the seizure of 314,000 Captagon pills in a joint operation with Kuwait following coordinated intelligence efforts, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. - Security Forces Arrest Diyala Mortar Suspect (Diyala) Iraqi forces stopped a suspect linked to the recent mortar shelling east of Baqubah and continue efforts to track down others involved, a security source told Shafaq News. - Army Colonel Suicides (Nineveh) An Iraqi army colonel affiliated with the Ministry of Defense died by suicide while on duty at a military facility in Sinjar district, a security source told Shafaq News, while authorities opened an investigation to determine the circumstances. - Health Employee Dies by Suicide (Diyala) A woman in her thirties working at Diyala Health Directorate shot herself inside her family home in central Baqubah. - Four Suicide Cases Recorded in Najaf and Dhi Qar (Najaf/ Dhi Qar) Four individuals, including a Health Ministry employee and a border police member, committed suicide in separate incidents across Najaf and Dhi Qar. - Teen Girl Dies and Body Found (Baghdad) A 2008-born girl died by hanging in Al-Nahrawan, while security forces found an unidentified decomposed body in Al-Rashidiya. - Foreign Worker Injured During Security Operation (Diyala) Security personnel shot and seriously injured a Pakistani fish farm guard after he attempted to flee during a search operation west of Baqubah, a security source said. - Security Forces Arrest Three Turkish Nationals (Baghdad) Police stopped three Turkish nationals in Al-Amel area after residents accused them of falsely ordering evacuations under the pretext of investment projects. - Journalist Dies in Kirkuk Traffic Accident (Kirkuk) Journalist Ahmed Riyadh Fawzi, 31, died in a late-night traffic collision in Al-Multaqa area. - Police Dismantle Drug Trafficking Network (Baghdad) Security forces busted six suspects, including a woman, and seized crystal meth during an ambush. - Gunmen Kill Civilian in Mosul (Nineveh) Armed men killed a civilian west of Mosul amid an ongoing tribal feud. - Police Arrest Theft and Counterfeit Suspects (Al-Anbar/ Babil) Security forces in Al-Anbar apprehended three suspects for stealing 30 million dinars from a residence, while Babil police detained two individuals carrying counterfeit currency and thousands of US dollars. - Police Arrest Terror Suspect After Baghdad Pursuit (Babil/ Baghdad) Babil Police arrested a suspect wanted under Article 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Law after tracking him to Al-Amiriya area in Baghdad. - Authorities Arrest Fugitive Hours After Court Escape (Najaf) Security forces arrested a convict eight hours after he escaped from a Najaf court following a four-month prison sentence in a brawl case. - Border Police Arrest Iranian Traveler with Tramadol (Basra) A security source told Shafaq News that authorities arrested an Iranian traveler at Al-shalamcheh border crossing after discovering 2,900 tramadol pills concealed inside a rice bag. - Baghdad Police Arrest Vehicle Break-In Suspect (Baghdad) Baghdad Police arrested a suspect for repeatedly smashing car windows and stealing contents.