Iraq foils attempt to manufacture drones in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Aug 27:  Iraq’s National Security Service has arrested three suspects and foiled an attempt to manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the capital Baghdad, the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported Thursday.

The National Security Service said the suspects were arrested in connection with an effort to manufacture drones inside Baghdad. It did not provide further details about the suspects or the intended use of the drones.

Separately, Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the commander-in-chief of Iraq’s armed forces, said the mission of the international coalition in Iraq will end as scheduled on September 30. The US-led coalition was formed in 2014 to fight ISIS after the group seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. Iraq declared in 2017 that it had retaken its territory from ISIS, although the group has continued to carry out sporadic attacks.

Speaking to INA, Numan said the Iraqi government was “keen to regulate the issue of weapons in the country.”

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions. On July 27, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraqi territory that it said were attempting to target oil facilities in the Eastern Province and the capital Riyadh. Riyadh blamed “Iranian-affiliated militias” for the attacks and said it reserved the right to respond.

The latest developments also follow a discussion between Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on regional developments, during which they stressed the need to contain escalation and resolve disputes through peaceful means.