Three Iraqi police officers, including a brigadier general who headed Baghdad Municipality Police on the Karkh side, were killed Thursday after security forces came under direct gunfire during an operation to remove illegal encroachments in southern Baghdad, Iraqi authorities said.

The incident occurred in the Dora area as security forces were carrying out an official mission to remove unauthorized structures and other violations following a judicial order.

Iraq’s Deputy Interior Minister Hussein Al-Awadi initially confirmed the deaths of the Karkh municipal police director and another officer. Several others were wounded in the attack, including members of the Federal Police and Baghdad-Karkh police commands.

A third police officer later died from his injuries, bringing the death toll among security personnel to three.

Saad Maan, head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell, said the municipal police director was killed during the operation and that several other officers were wounded.

A security source said the gunman was affiliated with an armed group and opened fire from a rooftop as security forces arrived at the site.

According to the Iraqi News Agency, Baghdad Municipality had launched the encroachment-removal campaign in Dora as part of efforts to enforce judicial decisions and remove illegal construction.

The Security Media Cell said the attack took place around the Dora, Karrara and Dijla neighborhoods. Municipal police units, accompanied by emergency response forces and personnel from the Arab Jabour police station, came under direct fire after reaching the area.

Following the attack, the Baghdad Operations Commander ordered security forces to establish a tight cordon around the area and close all access points. Senior security commanders also arrived at the scene.

Security forces later launched a large-scale search operation to identify and arrest those responsible. Authorities said at least one suspect had been arrested while the operation was still ongoing.

Baghdad Police later identified the alleged perpetrators as members of an armed group led by a man identified as Saad al-Issawi, who reportedly fled the scene and remained at large.

The attack has highlighted the security risks facing Iraqi authorities when enforcing government and judicial orders involving illegal construction, particularly in densely populated parts of the capital.

It also comes as the federal government seeks to strengthen state authority and enforce the rule of law, including efforts to ensure that weapons remain under state control.