Alcohol banned in Baghdad Baghdad – Jaafar Al Nasrawy The local government in Baghdad has ordered to shut down establishments that sell alcohol in the city. Since 2003, It has been reported that security forces have attacked bars, restaurants and nightclubs who offer alcoholic drinks on their menus.
Government spokesman Diaa Alwakeel told Arabstoday that this decision was taken in response to the distress of Iraqi families.
He added that consuming alcohol was contrary to moral values and traditions in Iraqi society.
Alwakeel said that the operation was led in a disciplined manner, with respect to human rights and dignity and under the supervision of well qualified officers.
Several human rights organisations criticised these procedures and considered it contrary to the constitutional legislation and the political customs.
Governorate Council of Baghdad denied any knowledge about the attacks from the security forces. They said this sort of actions  can only be applied by dictatorial regimes. It also warned about the migration of minorities.
Senior leader in the Islamic Supreme Council Sadruddin al Qabbanji said on Friday that these measures are right, and that all the nightclubs and bars in the country should be shut down.
Eyewitnesses told Arabstoday that security forces attacked clients of nightclubs in Baghdad, beat them up, and shot in the air to scare them. They also destroyed all the bars and nightclubs, still according to the eye witnesses.