Iraqi security forces arrested 13 people late on Saturday who were suspected of carrying illegal arms in operations in Baghdad and Basra.
For years, the government has faced a major challenge to rein in armed militias and keep weapons under state control.
“Ten individuals were arrested in Basra, who were suspected of carrying heavy weaponry, after a security operation was launched to raid and inspect various areas in the city,” armed forces spokesman Yehia Rasool said on Twitter.
Security forces raided the eastern Baghdad area of Hussainia Al Mamal at 4am, seizing dozens of light and medium weapons, he said.
Three men were arrested in the Iraqi capital and were charged with possession of “medium weapons and illegal vehicles”.
“The government and security forces will deal with those who attempt to threaten the security of citizens and we will not tolerate this,” Mr Rasool said.
After the US-led invasion that ousted former dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, the illegal weapons trade flourished across the country. Looted guns from ransacked police stations and military bases were sold in the streets and public areas to residents seeking to protect themselves in the largely lawless state.
Since then, the government has tried to curb the sale of illegal weapons and stepped up its efforts to control gun ownership through regulation.
The law stipulates that civilians may carry light arms only with official government authorisation and an identity card that lists the type of weapon registered to their name.
Public protests in Basra and Baghdad have turned violent in recent months.
Demonstrators are calling for better services, an end to endemic corruption, more jobs and changes to the political system.
The mass movement started in October 2019 with a few people in Baghdad, then spread to other cities in central and southern Iraq.
More than 600 people were killed and thousands injured when security forces opened fire on the protesters.
International human rights organisations say the dozens of activists have reported intimidation and there have been many kidnappings and assassinations.
Last month in Basra, activists Reham Yacoub and Tahseen Osama were gunned down in separate incidents within a week, sparking public rage at the government’s inability to protect citizens.
The government immediately launched a military operation to track militias blamed for the murder of the activists in the city.
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron met Iraqi leaders on his first visit to Baghdad, stressing the war-scarred country must assert its "sovereignty" despite being caught up in US-Iran tensions.
Fresh from a two-day trip to crisis-hit Lebanon, Mr Macron was the most prominent world leader to visit Iraq since Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi came to power in May.
He spent just a few hours in the Iraqi capital, where he held talks Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih, Mr Al Kadhimi, and an array of political figures to insist Iraq strike a path independent of regional tensions.
"Iraq has been going through a challenging time for several years, with war and terrorism," Mr Macron said.
He noted that the country was still struggling to revive its economy, improve its education system and bring "military elements and militias" under state control.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
You may remember …
Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.
Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.
Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.
Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.
Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.
