Baghdad-INA
Baghdad Operations Commander Lieutenant General Staff Officer Walid Khalifa chaired a coordination and planning conference on Sunday to discuss security preparations for the holy month of Muharram and the Arbaeen pilgrimage, the Baghdad Operations Command said.
During the conference, Khalifa directed security forces to raise their state of readiness and combat preparedness ahead of the religious occasions, according to the statement.
The statement said that Baghdad Operations Commander chaired a coordination and planning conference at the Operations Command headquarters on Sunday evening to discuss the security and service plan for the holy month of Muharram and the Arbaeen pilgrimage, as well as mechanisms for its implementation during the days and nights of Ashura.
The meeting was attended by the commander's deputies for defense and interior affairs, the chief of staff, division commanders, directors of departments, intelligence agencies and directorates, and a number of staff officers, the statement added.
Khalifa stressed the need to raise the readiness and combat preparedness of security forces and to continue preemptive search, inspection and armed reconnaissance operations to pursue outlaws, organized crime gangs and individuals seeking to undermine social stability across all areas of responsibility, according to the statement.
He also underscored the importance of taking all necessary precautionary measures, intensifying intelligence efforts and enhancing information-sharing to prevent any attempts to undermine the security and safety of citizens or disrupt the observance of religious rituals, the statement said.
He also stressed the importance of preventing armed displays under any pretext and ensuring that no roads are closed during the implementation of the security plan for the holy month of Muharram and the Arbaeen pilgrimage.
Khalifa emphasized the need to regulate religious and service processions, prohibit the erection of tents or facilities on bridges and road medians, and maintain the smooth flow of traffic throughout the capital, according to the statement.
He further called for verifying the sources of services provided, including food distribution and medical treatment, and ensuring that such services are offered only through licensed processions and duly authorized entities, the statement added.
He highlighted the importance of providing security for holy sites and places of worship, including mosques and Husseiniyas, where mourning gatherings and Hussaini rituals are held, as well as conducting foot and vehicle patrols in residential neighborhoods and districts, the statement said.
Khalifa also stressed the need for close coordination with government institutions, agencies and Hussaini procession committees to review and enforce safety and security measures, particularly in light of the high temperatures expected during the month, according to the statement.
He also stressed the deployment of fixed and mobile medical teams, as well as fire, traffic and emergency response vehicles, at intersections and in areas crowded with citizens and Hussaini processions to deal with any emergencies that may arise, the statement said.
Khalifa further called for conducting public awareness and guidance campaigns targeting citizens and organizers of Hussaini processions on the risks posed by rumors and negative social phenomena and ways to address them in coordination with security forces.
He urged the public to report such incidents through the 911 hotline or the dedicated communication lines of the Baghdad Operations Command, according to the statement.