BAGHDAD: In a significant crackdown on unregulated industrial activities, the Federal Police of Iraq have seized 47 unlicensed metal smelting sites in an inspection campaign conducted north of Baghdad.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the operation was carried out by the Fifth Division of the Federal Police as part of a broader effort to enforce environmental safety laws and health and safety standards. The seized sites were operating without the necessary official approvals, posing potential risks to both environmental and public health.

The Federal Police Command in its statement highlighted that the success of the operation was due to a collaborative effort with multiple agencies, including the National Security Service, the Environment Directorate, the Al-Zawraa District Municipality, the Violations Department, and the Organized Crime Intelligence Agency. Following the seizures, the cases have been referred to the competent authorities for further action.

The initiative reflects ongoing efforts
by Iraqi authorities to clamp down on illegal industrial activities that bypass regulatory frameworks designed to protect the environment and public health.