Latest news with #Abbasal-Bahadli
Shafaq News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq cracks down on unsafe businesses
2025-07-19T12:34:27+00:00 Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq's Interior Ministry launched a nationwide crackdown Saturday on unlicensed and unsafe commercial centers, days after the July 17 Kut hypermarket fire in Wasit province that killed nearly 70 people, including women and children. Speaking at a press conference from Karbala Operations Command ahead of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, Interior Ministry Spokesman Colonel Abbas al-Bahadli vowed legal accountability for those linked to the tragedy, stating, 'The names and affiliations of those involved will be made public. No one is above the law—even the powerful will face justice.' He noted that investigators have identified initial suspects, though the final report is still pending, pointing out that security forces have begun sweeping inspections nationwide, shutting down shopping centers and retail outlets that lack permits or fail to meet fire safety standards. In Baghdad, Major General Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, head of Civil Defense in al-Rusafa district, confirmed the closure of over 1,300 businesses for fire code violations. 'We've banned flammable sandwich panels and started audits of government buildings,' he noted. 'Both the Prime Minister [Mohammed Shia al-Sudani] and Interior Minister [Abdul Amir Al-Shammari] have directed all agencies to strictly follow civil defense rules.' Hassan also revealed a new agreement with South Korea to acquire two firefighting and emergency aircraft, highlighting that recent investments in modern equipment have sharply improved response capabilities.
Shafaq News
03-07-2025
- Shafaq News
Iraq's crime rate plummets 13% in early 2025
Shafaq News – Baghdad A 13% decrease in criminal incidents was recorded in Iraq during the first half of 2025 compared to the last six months of 2024, the Interior Ministry announced on Thursday. In a statement, the ministry's spokesperson, Colonel Abbas al-Bahadli, explained that the decline 'reflects efforts by law enforcement to curb crime across the country.' On January 29, the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq noted a 15% drop in crime rates in 2024 compared to 2023, based on data from the Interior Ministry. According to the report, violent crimes—including murder and aggravated assault—fell by 20%. Theft-related crimes, including home and vehicle theft, dropped by 12%, while drug trafficking cases decreased by 18%. Notably, Iraq ranked 8th among Arab countries and 80th globally out of 146 nations in the 2024 Crime Index published by Numbeo, a global platform that tracks crime rates, cost of living, and quality of life indicators.
Shafaq News
26-06-2025
- Shafaq News
Iraq busts 60+ sex exploitation rings, arrests dozens of sorcerers
Shafaq News – Baghdad Over 60 sex trafficking networks were dismantled and 82 individuals accused of sorcery and fortune-telling were arrested during the first half of 2025, the Iraqi Interior Ministry announced on Thursday. According to Colonel Abbas al-Bahadli, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency uncovered and dismantled 62 sex exploitation networks, along with 9 human organ trafficking rings, 15 forced labor groups, 4 child-selling operations, and 6 networks involved in organized begging. Al-Bahadli also confirmed the arrest of 82 individuals accused of practicing sorcery and witchcraft, which remain criminal offenses in Iraq. Iraq's Interior Ministry had issued a directive in 2017 to close offices linked to witchcraft and spiritual fraud, many of which had spread across Baghdad and other provinces. Despite this, such practices have persisted, often fueled by growing social distress, economic hardship, and public disillusionment. Observers note that women are disproportionately drawn to sorcery and fortune-telling in Iraq, driven by societal pressures, insecurity, and limited access to formal psychological or social support.
