Iraqi Security Forces Dismantle Drone Network Planning Attacks, Gov. Spokesman Says

Al Arabiya

Drones seized by Iraqi security forces.

Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said the Counter-Terrorism Service and the National Intelligence Service had infiltrated and dismantled a network equipped with drones that was allegedly planning attacks against specific targets.

Speaking in an interview with Iraq's state media (INA), al-Aboudi said security forces had arrested members of the network and seized equipment, including drones.

"The Counter-Terrorism Service and the National Intelligence Service successfully dismantled and infiltrated a network, arresting its members and confiscating some of their equipment, including drones," he said, adding that the network had been preparing to carry out operations against specific targets.

Al-Aboudi said the security operation had been carefully planned and resulted in the network being dismantled and the planned attacks being foiled.

He said the operation demonstrated the readiness of Iraq's security forces to protect the public, following directives from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The spokesman also said the Iraqi government was engaged in direct dialogue with armed factions under the leadership of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

"After 30 September, the need for the presence of armed factions in Iraq will cease, and the issue of disarming the population is a purely Iraqi national matter under the exclusive control of the government," al-Aboudi said.

Meanwhile, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported on Saturday evening, citing Iraqi sources, that a cell in Babil province had been arrested while allegedly preparing to carry out attacks outside Iraq.

Baghdad has been pursuing a broader policy aimed at ensuring that all weapons are placed under state control.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's government has given armed groups until 30 September 2026 to surrender their weapons. After that deadline, any armed group operating outside the authority of the state will be designated as a terrorist organisation and subject to legal action.

On Friday, Iraq's Security Media Cell reaffirmed that there would be "no turning back" from Baghdad's policy of ensuring that weapons remain exclusively under state control, saying the process would help create a "more stable environment for future generations".

Meanwhile, Iraq's ruling State Administration Coalition reiterated at a meeting on Wednesday its commitment to the 30 September deadline for armed groups to hand over their weapons to the state.

The coalition also stressed that any groups using Iraqi territory as a launchpad for attacks would be considered "outlaws".

In late July, Saudi Arabia and the United States carried out large-scale joint airstrikes against Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq, after Riyadh accused the groups of launching attacks against Saudi Arabia from Iraqi territory. The strikes drew condemnation from Baghdad and increased pressure on the Iraqi government to bring armed actors operating outside state control under its authority.



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