"Operation Al-Batawin": Over 200 Arrested in Iraq

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced today, Thursday, that "more than 200 individuals were arrested during a large-scale raid in a well-known neighborhood in Baghdad, targeting networks involved in prostitution, drugs, and human trafficking." The official Iraqi News Agency quoted the ministry's spokesperson, Major General Mukdad Miri, stating that "the operation will continue for several days and is the first of its kind in years." He added that "the Al-Batawin security operation resulted in the capture of networks involved in prostitution, drugs, organized crime, human trafficking rings, counterfeit industrial operations, unlicensed shipping offices, and several other networks." He also noted the presence of Arab and Bangladeshi citizens, particularly in the area. He continued that "security forces also discovered unlicensed weapons and rifles, as well as currency exchange offices operated by organized crime groups in the neighborhood."