Iraqi intelligence foils oil smuggling attempt in territorial waters

Iraq’s Military Intelligence Directorate has thwarted an attempt to smuggle oil derivatives in the country’s territorial waters.

The operation, described as a specialized security mission, demonstrated the high readiness of the Naval Intelligence Directorate in safeguarding Iraq’s territorial waters, according to the Iraqi News Agency.

The intelligence and security division at Umm Qasr Naval Base, part of the Naval Intelligence Directorate, intercepted the smuggling attempt and detained the crews of two boats in Iraqi territorial waters.

The incident began when two suspicious boats were detected engaging in illegal activities in the maritime area. Naval intelligence forces intercepted the vessels and seized one carrying oil derivatives.