Iraq to treat unauthorized drone launches from its territory as ‘terrorist acts’

BAGHDAD, Aug 10: Iraq will treat unauthorized drone launches as “terrorist acts” under the country’s counterterrorism law, the Interior Ministry said Monday, as Baghdad steps up efforts to bring weapons under state control.

The measure comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows scores of attacks on US interests across the region by Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq since the US-Iran war began in late February.

The Interior Ministry said Iraqi authorities have confiscated 49 drones this year as part of efforts to prevent their unauthorized use. Authorities have also established a nationwide database covering around six million weapons, the ministry said.

Iraq is simultaneously seeking to disarm armed groups operating outside state control as the government works to ensure that weapons are held and used only by authorized state institutions.

The decision to classify unauthorized drone launches as terrorist acts reflects Baghdad’s growing concerns over the use of drones in attacks and the potential threat they pose to national security and critical infrastructure.