Iraq cracks down on unsafe businesses
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq's Interior Ministry launched a nationwide crackdown Saturday on unlicensed and unsafe commercial centers, days after the July 17 Kut hypermarket fire in Wasit province that killed nearly 70 people, including women and children.
Speaking at a press conference from Karbala Operations Command ahead of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, Interior Ministry Spokesman Colonel Abbas al-Bahadli vowed legal accountability for those linked to the tragedy, stating, 'The names and affiliations of those involved will be made public. No one is above the law—even the powerful will face justice.'
He noted that investigators have identified initial suspects, though the final report is still pending, pointing out that security forces have begun sweeping inspections nationwide, shutting down shopping centers and retail outlets that lack permits or fail to meet fire safety standards.
In Baghdad, Major General Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, head of Civil Defense in al-Rusafa district, confirmed the closure of over 1,300 businesses for fire code violations. 'We've banned flammable sandwich panels and started audits of government buildings,' he noted. 'Both the Prime Minister [Mohammed Shia al-Sudani] and Interior Minister [Abdul Amir Al-Shammari] have directed all agencies to strictly follow civil defense rules.'
Hassan also revealed a new agreement with South Korea to acquire two firefighting and emergency aircraft, highlighting that recent investments in modern equipment have sharply improved response capabilities.
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City of Swaida Pre-Massacre Population: 125,000 Post-Massacre Population: 50,000 Situation: Infrastructure destroyed, markets stormed, shops looted, homes burned, civilians killed, public executions, women and children kidnapped, elderly abused/shaved, hospitals attacked, services unavailable, security/food threatened, most residents fled east/south. 2. Village of Walga Pre-Massacre Population: 4,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 3. Village of Reema Hazem Pre-Massacre Population: 3,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 4. Village of Al-Mazraa Pre-Massacre Population: 10,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 5. Village of Al-Tayr Pre-Massacre Population: 1,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 6. Village of Sama Al-Hunaidat Pre-Massacre Population: 1,800 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 7. Village of Samma Pre-Massacre Population: 2,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 8. Village of Al-Dour Pre-Massacre Population: 4,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 9. Village of Taara Pre-Massacre Population: 2,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 10. Village of Qarrasa Pre-Massacre Population: 1,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 11. Village of Al-Duwairi Pre-Massacre Population: 2,100 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 12. Village of Najran Pre-Massacre Population: 8,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 13. Samma Al-Hunaidat Pre-Massacre Population: 1,800 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 14. Town of Thaala Pre-Massacre Population: 10,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 15. Village of Al-Dara Pre-Massacre Population: 1,950 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Churches burned and vandalized. 16. Village of Al-Aslehah Pre-Massacre Population: 1,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Churches burned and vandalized. 17. Village of Kanaker Pre-Massacre Population: 1,100 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 18. Village of Ara Pre-Massacre Population: 11,000 Post-Massacre Population: 6,000 Situation: Mortar/missile shelling, under assessment. 19. Village of Al-Mujaymir Pre-Massacre Population: 5,000 Post-Massacre Population: 2,000 Situation: Mortar/missile shelling, under assessment. 20. Village of Al-Majdal Pre-Massacre Population: 6,500 Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 21. Village of Kafr Al-Lahf Pre-Massacre Population: 4,000 Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 22. Village of Reema Al-Fakhour Pre-Massacre Population: Unknown Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 23. Village of Salakhed Pre-Massacre Population: 2,500 Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 24. Majadel, Smayd, Al-Kharsa Pre-Massacre Population: 20,000 Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 25. City of Shahba Pre-Massacre Population: 20,000 Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Mortar/missile shelling, homes/property destroyed, militant presence, declared devastated. 26. Village of Umm Al-Zeitoun Pre-Massacre Population: 4,000 Post-Massacre Population: 1,000 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 27. Village of Al-Sweimrah Pre-Massacre Population: 1,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 28. Village of Al-Metouneh Pre-Massacre Population: 3,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 29. Village of Al-Hayyat Pre-Massacre Population: 2,800 Post-Massacre Population: 1,800 Situation: Partial displacement. The gas station, village entrances and public facilities were vandalized. Currently it's not with HTS. 30. Village of Al-Heett Pre-Massacre Population: 2,450 Post-Massacre Population: 1,200 Situation: Partial displacement, most of the population is Christian. Currently it is not under HTS control. 31. Village of Al-Khalidiyah Pre-Massacre Population: 3,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 32. Village of Lahtha Pre-Massacre Population: 8,900 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 33. Village of Radhimah Al-Liwaa Pre-Massacre Population: 3,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 34. Village of Al-Soura Al-Kabir Pre-Massacre Population: 2,800 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 35. Village of Hazm Pre-Massacre Population: 1,700 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 36. Village of Khalkhala Pre-Massacre Population: 2,700 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 37. Village of Dhakir Pre-Massacre Population: 1,200 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 38. Village of Al-Soura Al-Sagheer Pre-Massacre Population: 1,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 39. Town of Areeqa Pre-Massacre Population: 9,000 Post-Massacre Population: 5,000 Situation: Mortar/missile shelling, under assessment. 40. Village of Dama Pre-Massacre Population: 4,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 41. Village of Lebbain Pre-Massacre Population: 3,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 42. Village of Haraan Pre-Massacre Population: 2,800 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. Total Pre-Massacre Population: 295,100 Total Post-Massacre Population: 67,000 Total Number Of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): 228,100
