The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has issued a stark warning regarding the province of Sulaymanhiyah, identifying it as a significant transit hub for narcotics entering Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and potentially Europe. A comprehensive investigation conducted by the UN agency in July outlines three primary entry points for narcotics into Iraq, with Sulaymanhiyah emerging as a crucial route for drugs trafficked from Afghanistan and Iran before reaching European markets.

The UNODC report highlights a concerning trend: Sulaymanhiyah records the lowest narcotics seizures compared to other cities in the region, such as Erbil, Duhok, and Zakho, which have implemented stricter monitoring and enforcement measures. This lack of effective oversight raises alarms about the province’s vulnerability to drug trafficking.

In response to these concerns, Iraq’s Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), recently announced the dismantling of a narcotics manufacturing facility located near Derbandikhan in Sulaymanhiyah. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat drug-related activities in the region.

The situation is further complicated by previous assertions from Lahur Talabani, former co-president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). He claimed that a high-ranking PUK official was allegedly overseeing narcotics production in the province, which has contributed to rising substance abuse rates among local youth.

These developments underscore the persistent challenges faced by authorities in curbing drug trafficking and highlight Sulaymanhiyah's critical role as a transit point in the broader regional drug trade. As investigations and security operations continue, the need for enhanced monitoring and collaborative efforts to tackle this pressing issue has never been more urgent.