Iraqi security forces arrested seven individuals, including five lawmakers, on corruption charges in an overnight raid in Baghdad's Green Zone. The operation was ordered by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and based on testimony from a detained former deputy oil minister.
The arrests signal a significant move by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to tackle corruption, a persistent challenge in Iraq. The operation, which targeted lawmakers and senior officials within the heavily secured Green Zone, could lead to political repercussions and further instability in the country's complex political landscape.
Iraqi security forces arrested seven individuals, including five lawmakers and senior government officials, early Sunday in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone as part of an anti-corruption campaign ordered by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. The operation, conducted by elite Counter Terrorism Service units, was based on arrest warrants issued by judicial authorities following testimony from Adnan al-Jumaili, the deputy oil minister for refining affairs, who was detained on corruption charges. Some suspects managed to flee before security forces arrived, prompting authorities to close entrances to the Green Zone and initiate a wider search. The campaign is expected to continue in the coming days. Prime Minister Zaidi, who took office in May, has pledged to address entrenched corruption in Iraq.