Iraqi authorities seize 47 drones, 46 projectiles in Anbar

Iraqi authorities announced Friday that they had seized 47 drones and 46 projectiles in the western province of Anbar.

On US social media company Facebook, the Interior Ministry said units from Anbar's provincial police command, acting on intelligence, discovered an abandoned site.

It said the site had previously been used as a vehicle tire repair shop and contained drones, projectiles, and equipment related to the operation.

A search of the site resulted in the seizure of 47 drones and 46 projectiles prepared to be attached to and used with the drones, as well as control devices, batteries, equipment, and related materials, according to the statement.

The site has been secured and all items there seized and stored safely, the ministry added.

The statement said authorities have begun procedures to determine the source of the materials and parties linked to them, and to take the necessary legal measures.

The announcement comes as Iraq works to ensure that weapons are held exclusively by the state.

On June 3, Iraqi army spokesman Sabah al-Numan announced the formation of a committee to place weapons under exclusive state control, saying that the committee has begun its work.

That followed a June 1 announcement by the Coordination Framework, which brings together Shiite political forces, expressing support for placing weapons exclusively under state control and strengthening the authority of official institutions.

Weapons outside state control remain one of Iraq’s main security and political challenges, amid the presence of armed factions, some of which are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, while others operate independently.

Political forces and sectors of the public have urged strengthening the authority of official security institutions as Iraq continues to face intermittent security tensions, attacks, and clashes that affect internal stability.