Earlier on Sunday, Iraqi security forces launched a series of raids in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, arresting several politicians, lawmakers and senior government officials as part of what authorities said was a widening anti-corruption campaign.According to AFP, a large number of security forces, including armored vehicles and tanks, have been deployed in the Green Zone, where Iraqi government agencies, parliament, the US Embassy and other diplomatic missions are located.Videos circulated on local Telegram channels showed security personnel carrying out operations in residential areas and private homes.News agency reporters also reported that security at the entrance to the Green Zone had been tightened as the attack spread to other parts of Baghdad.
Arrests related to corruption probe
Agence France-Presse quoted an unnamed security official as saying the raid was “following judicial orders and targeted several politicians suspected of financial corruption”, adding that counter-terrorism forces and the army were involved in the operation.Iraq’s state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) said several suspects were arrested based on confessions from former deputy oil minister Adnan Jumaili, who was detained last month on corruption charges.Those arrested included lawmakers whose parliamentary immunity had been revoked, as well as other officials.A report by security agencies showed seven people, including five lawmakers, were arrested, the Associated Press reported. Some of the detainees were reportedly affiliated with the political bloc of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific charges against those arrested.Elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces carried out the pre-dawn raid after Iraqi judicial authorities issued an arrest warrant as part of a wider crackdown on an alleged corruption network.Citing security and legal sources, Reuters said some suspects fled before security forces arrived, prompting authorities to seal off the Green Zone and launch an expanded search operation expected to continue in the coming days.
Campaign follows Zaidi’s anti-corruption commitments
Prime Minister Ali Zaidi, who took office in May, has repeatedly pledged to address Iraq’s long-standing corruption problem, which persists despite similar pledges by successive governments.Earlier this month, authorities seized more than $85 million in a corruption case involving Jumaili, with some of the cash reportedly hidden underground.Sunday’s operation follows the recent arrests of several senior officials, including Jumaili, whose testimony allegedly implicated a wider network of officials in a corruption scheme.
Raid ahead of Washington visit
Another security official said the investigation went beyond financial corruption and included allegations involving the financing of armed factions and the smuggling of U.S. dollars and Iranian oil linked to Tehran-backed groups.A diplomat in Baghdad told AFP the operation was “part of preparations for a visit to Washington” and aimed at demonstrating commitment to Zaidi’s reform agenda ahead of a planned visit to the United States later this month.The attack also coincided with a visit to Baghdad by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.Zaidi also vowed to establish a state monopoly on weapons as U.S. pressure mounts to disband Tehran-backed armed groups, which Washington designates as terrorist organizations.In recent conflicts in the Middle East, these groups have launched attacks against U.S. facilities in Iraq and targets in the Gulf states.As of the time of this report, the government had not issued an official statement on the attack.
