Iraqi Intelligence Seizes Drones, Weapons in Maysan

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iraq's Military Intelligence Directorate announced Saturday the seizure of drones and a quantity of weapons and munitions in Maysan province.

The directorate said in a statement that, based on precise intelligence information and directives from the director of military intelligence, units from the Intelligence and Security Section of the 22nd Special Forces Division carried out an operation that resulted in the seizure of a number of drones, mortar shells, rocket launchers and various hand grenades.

The statement noted that all standard legal procedures had been taken with regard to the seized items, affirming that the directorate would continue monitoring and pursuing all activities that violate the law and confiscating unlicensed weapons to strengthen security and stability in the province.

The seizure comes as Iraq continues efforts to bring weapons held by armed groups under state control. Iraqi Parliament Speaker Hiabat Halbousi said Friday that the end of September would mark the start of a process to collect weapons under state authority, describing the matter as an entirely Iraqi and constitutional issue that would proceed through legal channels.

Speaking at the Baghdad Dialogue Forum, Halbousi stressed that there is currently no confrontation between the state and armed groups, and said the process would move forward through established legal procedures.

Halbousi also addressed other matters at the forum, including assurances that public salary payments would continue, plans for parliament to discuss the draft budget law, and government coordination with Iran's parliament regarding Iraq's position on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Maysan seizure reflects continued efforts by Iraqi security agencies to enforce arms control ahead of the state's broader weapons collection process set to begin in late September.