There is heightened caution in various areas of Basra city following recent security incidents. A local Iraqi official in Basra province revealed updates on the investigation regarding the assault on the headquarters of the Crime and Drug Departments in the Shatt al-Arab district, describing the attack on security premises as a "cowardly act."
Haydar Ta'ma, the district commissioner of Shatt al-Arab, stated that "investigations are ongoing by security forces regarding the incident of the assault on the Crime and Drug Departments." He clarified that "the incident did not cause any injuries to the security forces," but added, "Those who opened fire cannot be considered ordinary citizens or from a tribe."
He emphasized that "targeting security headquarters is a cowardly act because these premises represent the flag of the nation. Accordingly, we have gone to inspect the incident, and the investigation is being conducted by the security forces." Ta'ma noted that "the targeting was specifically on the Drug Enforcement Department, but the reasons are unclear and will be clarified after the investigations are completed."
Earlier, a security source reported that Saraya al-Salam attacked the building of the Crime Directorate in Shatt al-Arab, east of Basra province. The source stated that "elements of Saraya al-Salam opened fire with live ammunition on the building of the Crime Directorate in Shatt al-Arab." It added that "the attack came in light of the arrest of one of the Saraya members on charges of arms trafficking."
The Basra Police Command issued a clarification regarding the clash that occurred in front of the Shatt al-Arab Crime Department building. They stated in a report that "the Shatt al-Arab Crime Department conducted surveillance at the house of a suspect wanted under a criminal charge, where several unlicensed weapons were seized inside the house, and the suspect's brother was arrested for possessing weapons at his residence."
Additionally, it reported, "Afterward, several armed individuals gathered in front of the Shatt al-Arab Crime Department building, and when a force from the special tactical unit arrived, they clashed with them and fled. Currently, efforts are underway to track them down in the streets to apprehend any armed individuals, and the security situation is under control and stable."
In another incident, a security source indicated that armed individuals launched an attack on the Basra Drug Directorate in the Tanuma district. The source reported that "the Basra Drug Directorate, located in the Tanuma district, was attacked by armed individuals after one suspect was arrested in drug-related cases." Another source mentioned that "a joint force arrived at the Drug Directorate, imposed security, and closed the streets in both directions."
