Shafaq News/On Monday, security forces in Al-Sulaymaniyah arrested two drug traffickersfollowing a violent confrontation in the Sarchnar district, local authoritiesreported.
In astatement, the Al-Sulaymaniyah Asayish (ASAISH) Directorate confirmed that theshootout occurred at 9:00 am, resulting in the arrest of the traffickers afterthey were injured during the clash.
Securityforces seized 14 kilograms of crystal meth from the suspects, the statementrevealed. One Asayish officer was also wounded in the exchange of gunfire.
Notably, theKurdish Government has intensified efforts to address drug trafficking, urgingcooperation from both Kurdish and international communities to tackle what hetermed an "endemic" threat.
Speaking ata conference dedicated to combating drugs and psychotropic substances in Erbil,last March, PM Masrour Barzani highlighted the Kurdistan Regional Government's(KRG) actions to eliminate the proliferation of drugs, calling for collectiveaction to eradicate the root causes of drug-related challenges.
Barzanipointed to armed groups operating in disputed areas between Iraq and theKurdistan Region, as well as along the Region's borders with neighboringcountries, as hindrances to Kurdish security forces' efforts in combating drugtrafficking. These groups, he noted, exploit security vulnerabilities andimpede anti-drug operations.
Despitethese challenges, Barzani affirmed the KRG's commitment to combating the drugmenace and preventing its escalation.