Shafaq News- Al-Anbar/ Karbala
Iraqi authorities have issued arrestwarrants for 21 suspects accused of illegally seizing about 770,000 dunams (77,000hectares) of state-owned land in the Al-Nukhayb district between Al-Anbar andKarbala provinces, a local official told Shafaq News on Tuesday.
Al-Anbar government spokespersonMoayad al-Dulaimi said the land was seized after 2014 by exploiting thesecurity conditions accompanying the war against ISIS, using forgedagricultural contracts and false ownership claims based on purported purchasesor fabricated farming agreements. Those involved later erected earthen bermsand installed farms, irrigation sprinklers, and caravans to portray the sitesas legitimate agricultural projects and establish a de facto reality on theground.
Under the supervision of GovernorOmar Mishaan al-Dabbous, Al-Anbar authorities instructed the Al-Rutba RealEstate Registration Directorate and other relevant bodies to file lawsuits andcomplete legal procedures against those involved. The Iraqi judiciary issuedthe warrants this week under Decision 154 concerning encroachment on stateproperty, with another 24 warrants expected next week, bringing the totalnumber to about 45.
Al-Dulaimi stressed that the localgovernment is determined to recover all encroached land in Al-Nukhaybexclusively through legal channels and away from disputes.