Iraq warns unauthorized drones will be treated as terrorism

Iraq’s Interior Ministry announced on Monday the creation of a database for 6 million firearms, and reported the closure of 71 fake offices claiming affiliation with the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Maj. Gen. Muqdad Miri, head of the ministry’s Relations and Media Department, said at a press conference for the National Committee for Regulating Weapons and Limiting Them to State Control that any drone flying without official authorization will be treated as an act of terrorism.

He explained that the committee currently holds a database of 6 million firearms across the country. He noted that while there was initially mistrust and low turnout for free firearm registration, the situation has changed and registration rates have now increased significantly.

Miri added that the deadline for firearm registration will end on December 31, 2026, after which anyone possessing unregistered weapons will be considered in violation of the law.

He also stated that the ministry has established 845 firearm registration offices in all provinces, issued licenses and permits for over 160,000 weapons, seized and confiscated 143,000 firearms, uncovered the theft of 2,668 weapons, and registered more than half a million firearms for citizens.