Iraqi forces storm Baghdad's Green Zone, arresting at least eight politicians and officials in anti-corruption operation
Iraqi security forces raided the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad early Sunday, arresting at least eight politicians and senior officials in a court-ordered anti-corruption sweep. Prime Minister Ali al-Saidi launched the campaign six weeks into his tenure, following confessions by the former deputy oil minister.
Pre-dawn raids in Baghdad's Green Zone
Iraqi security forces, including counter-terrorism units and army troops, moved into the Green Zone early on Sunday, 28 June, locking down the diplomatic enclave where parliament, the prime minister’s office, the US embassy and other foreign missions are located. Armoured vehicles and tanks took up positions while masked personnel searched residences. Local media reported sustained gunfire from light and medium weapons for several minutes. The zone was temporarily sealed, and a wider search operation was launched after some suspects reportedly escaped.
The arrest sweep
At least eight people were taken into custody, with some sources speaking of as many as 15. The Associated Press, citing government officials, put the number at seven detainees, including five members of parliament. No official list of names has been released, but the detained are described as politicians, lawmakers and senior government figures. Several news outlets reported that certain individuals, including former prime minister Mohamed Shiaa Al-Sudani, were among those held, though this has not been confirmed.
The prime minister will not hesitate to pursue corrupt officials and those involved in embezzlement of public funds.
The corruption trail
The operation was ordered by the judiciary, building on confessions from Adnan al-Jumaili, the former deputy oil minister arrested in late May. His testimony allegedly exposed a broader network of officials involved in financing groups and smuggling US dollars and Iranian oil. Earlier in June, authorities confiscated more than $85 million, dozens of properties, luxury vehicles and gold in a separate oil-related corruption case.
A new prime minister’s early test
Prime Minister Ali al-Saidi (also reported as Ali al-Zaidi) assumed office roughly six weeks ago and immediately pledged to fight the graft and mismanagement that have plagued Iraq for decades. Sunday’s raids mark the most dramatic enforcement step yet. Some analysts see the operation as also aimed at consolidating political power early in his term by sidelining rivals. Al-Saidi has also promised to enforce the state’s monopoly on weapons, a challenge in a country where numerous armed groups operate with backing from Iran.
Geopolitical undertones
Washington has pressured the new Iraqi government on two fronts: curbing the influence of pro-Iranian militias and rooting out endemic corruption. In early June, the influential Saraja al-Salam militia, founded by Shia cleric Muktada al-Sadr, voluntarily surrendered its weapons, a move interpreted as an answer to that pressure. Sadr is an ally of Tehran but resists total Iranian domination of Iraq. Sunday’s anti-corruption sweep may also be seen as part of the same pivot toward meeting US demands while navigating the broader Iran-US-Israel conflict in which Iraq is a flashpoint.
