In a significant hardening of its security policy, Iraq’s Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that it will treat armed tribal disputes and the traditional practice of dakka as terrorist crimes, prosecuting participants under the nation’s strict anti-terrorism laws.

The declaration marks a decisive effort by the state to reassert its monopoly on force and curb escalating inter-tribal violence that threatens civil peace.

Ministry spokesperson Colonel Abbas al-Bahadli, in a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), stated that security forces now view such conflicts as “negative and uncivilized phenomena” directly endangering public safety. He emphasized the ministry is coordinating with the judiciary to apply Article Four of Iraq’s Anti-Terrorism Law against perpetrators.

“The judiciary has the final word,” al-Bahadli said, warning that anyone caught in the act will face immediate trial. “The ministry will not allow any leniency in the enforcement of security and the rule of law.”

The practice in question, dakka al-ashairiya, involves armed members of one tribe gathering at the home or area of another, firing weapons, and sometimes using grenades to intimidate and force negotiations. Historically framed within tribal customs, authorities now classify it as a major criminal offense.

The ministry reiterated an uncompromising stance on illegal weapons. “There can be no acceptance of any weapon outside the framework of the state,” al-Bahadli stated, dismissing any parallel customs that conflict with national law. He highlighted the acute danger firearms pose to daily civilian life when used to settle disputes.

Al-Bahadli revealed that a large number of suspects are already under investigation, with court rulings issued against many, signaling the state's “seriousness” in ending the long-standing problem.

The ministry directly appealed to tribal leaders and prominent figures to comply fully with the law and adopt legal mechanisms for conflict resolution. Citizens were encouraged to report any activities that undermine community security.

The warning follows growing concern over the expansion of dakka, a centuries-old practice that has morphed into a severe threat to social stability. The phenomenon intensified after the widespread proliferation of unregulated weapons following the fall of the former regime.

While particularly prevalent in the tribal heartlands of southern Iraq, it has also been observed in parts of Baghdad, notably the Rusafa side, where reports indicate some tribes have used it for extortion.

For many Iraqis, the unchecked flow of arms has shifted power to those who wield force, distorting the traditional protective role of tribes into a source of fear and insecurity in everyday life. The state’s new policy represents its most forceful attempt yet to reverse that dynamic.