Iraq cracks down on unsafe businesses

Shafaq News – Baghdad (Updated 00:03)

Iraq’s Interior Ministry launched a nationwide crackdown on Saturday targeting unlicensed and unsafe commercial facilities, following the July 17 fire at a hypermarket in Kut that killed nearly 70 people, including women and children.

Speaking from Karbala Operations Command ahead of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, Interior Ministry spokesman Colonel Abbas al-Bahadli pledged full accountability. “The names and affiliations of those involved will be made public. No one is above the law—even the powerful will face justice,” he said.

Al-Bahadli confirmed that preliminary suspects have been identified, though the final investigation report is still pending. He added that nationwide inspections are underway, with security forces shutting down retail centers lacking permits or failing to meet fire safety standards.

Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission also reported the arrest of six officers and employees from the Civil Defence Directorate and Kut municipality in connection with violations at the area where the fire occurred.

In Baghdad, Major General Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, head of Civil Defence in al-Rusafa district, said more than 1,300 businesses had been closed for fire code violations. “We’ve banned the use of flammable sandwich panels and launched audits of government buildings,” he stated. “Both the Prime Minister [Mohammed Shia al-Sudani] and Interior Minister [Abdul Amir al-Shammari] have directed all agencies to enforce civil defence regulations without exception.”

He further noted an agreement with South Korea to acquire two firefighting and emergency aircraft, adding that recent upgrades in equipment have significantly improved response capacity.

In Mosul, a security source informed Shafaq News that more than 20 commercial and public sites were shut down over safety violations.

A committee, formed by order of Nineveh Governor Abdul Qader al-Dakhil, inspected malls, clinics, and other facilities, many of which lacked emergency exits, fire systems, or used flammable construction materials such as sandwich panels. “They pose a serious risk to public safety,” the source said. “Our goal is to prevent future disasters and ensure that lives are not put at risk due to negligence.”

In Kirkuk, 12 projects and buildings were closed after serious safety violations were found, mainly involving the removal of hazardous sandwich panel and Alucobond materials.