Iraqi government spokesperson: Arrest operations continue as part of the anti-corruption plan
Iraqi security forces have continued a high-profile anti-corruption campaign, arresting several politicians, lawmakers, and senior government officials in Baghdad on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The arrests were carried out by the elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) and targeted individuals whose names appeared in confessions or were implicated by deputy oil minister al-Jumaili. The operation, launched at dawn, focused on the fortified International Zone (Green Zone) and other neighborhoods in the capital.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who took office in May, has made the eradication of corruption a central pillar of his administration. The latest arrests follow seizure of $86 million in cash, 70 properties, 21 vehicles, and three kilograms of gold jewelry linked to al-Jumaili’s alleged corruption case. The government has also canceled $764 million airport project due to suspected corruption.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement confirming the identities of those arrested, but reports indicate that seven individuals including five MPs were detained. Some of those arrested were affiliated with the political bloc of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who lost the premiership amid deadlock within the Coordination Framework.
The anti-corruption drive has drawn both public attention and skepticism. While some observers praise the government’s visible efforts, others argue that systemic corruption remains deeply embedded in Iraq’s political structure and that more significant cases need to be addressed. The government has established Supreme Sovereign Council for Integrity, chaired by al-Zaidi, to monitor public spending and recover lost assets.
The ongoing operations signal a shift in the government’s approach to corruption, with a focus on dismantling networks in key sectors such as energy and oil. However, the success of the campaign will depend on recovering billions in looted funds and reforming Iraq’s legal framework to address post-2003 financial crimes.
