In a shocking development, Iraqi police have apprehended the leader of the Al-Alahhiya movement in Dhi Qar province, accused of orchestrating the sacrificial killings of two members during the Muslim Eid Al-Adha holiday.

Authorities from Diwaniyah's police directorate confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect confessed to the murders following intensive interrogation. According to a police statement released on Sunday, the victims were purportedly slain "as a sacrifice to God" and were also affiliated with the same extremist group.

The Al-Alahhiya movement, identified as a Shiite Islamic organization, initially emerged in Dhi Qar province in 2020 before spreading to other regions including Diwaniyah, Basra, and Maysan provinces.

Eid Al-Adha, celebrated on different days by Sunni and Shiite communities in Iraq, involves the ritual sacrifice of animals as a religious observance. The practice is marked by communal sacrifices at designated sites or within local communities.

The arrest underscores growing concerns over extremist activities within Iraq and highlights the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining security and upholding the rule of law.