Iraq Arrests 47 Officials in Major Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Iraqi authorities arrested 47 officials, including members of parliament, on Sunday as part of an anti-corruption campaign in the country, according to state media reports.
The campaign is led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who took office recently and has prioritised fighting corruption and ensuring a state monopoly on weapons. The arrests come ahead of his expected visit to Washington next month, where he is likely to seek U.S. investment and reiterate commitments to disarm pro-Iran armed groups.
Iraq's state news agency INA quoted senior officials saying that the 47 suspects were arrested on corruption charges, with at least one from the oil ministry. The raids began early on Sunday, with security forces, primarily from anti-terrorism units, entering Baghdad's fortified Green Zone and another neighbourhood in the capital. The Green Zone houses the U.S. embassy, other diplomatic missions, and government offices.
Video footage shared on local Telegram channels showed security forces in armoured vehicles inside the Green Zone, including inside a compound and a house. A diplomat in Baghdad told Agence France-Presse that the operation is part of preparations for the Washington visit and aims to demonstrate the prime minister's commitment to his promises.
The raids coincided with a visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who offered to expand cooperation with Iraq across all sectors. Iraq has long balanced the competing influences of its allies Iran and the United States.
A security official told AFP that while the raids target corruption, they are also part of a broader campaign against funding of factions and smuggling of dollars and Iranian oil, referring to Tehran-backed armed groups designated as terrorist organisations by Washington.
The security official added that U.S. pressure is a factor and described Sunday's actions as “the simple beginning.” During the recent West Asia war, pro-Iran groups targeted U.S. facilities in Iraq. Recently, at least two armed groups have said they would cooperate in handing over weapons to the state.
Prime Minister Zaidi, who assumed office after the United States vetoed another candidate, aims to attract more U.S. investment to revive Iraq's economy, which suffered revenue losses due to halted oil exports during the war.
The anti-corruption campaign is ongoing in Baghdad and other provinces, INA reported. Iraq's Commission of Integrity said authorities are executing judicial arrest warrants against suspects accused of misappropriating public funds. Earlier, INA reported that the arrests were based on confessions by oil ministry official Adnan al-Jumaili, who was arrested last month. Authorities seized over $85 million earlier this month in connection with Jumaili's graft case.
