Iraq arrests politicians, officials in anti-corruption sweep

BAGHDAD,— Iraqi security forces detained politicians and senior officials early Sunday during an anti-corruption drive directed by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, a government spokesperson said.

Elite Counter Terrorism Service units carried out overnight raids across Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone.

Multiple suspects were taken into custody, according to security and legal sources.

Iraq’s state news agency INA, citing a senior official, reported that 47 people were arrested. Those detained included members of parliament and government officials.

Separately, INA reported that authorities in the Kurdistan Region transferred Member of Parliament Ziyad al-Janabi to the federal government following his arrest in Erbil.

Zaidi, who assumed office in May, has promised to confront long-standing corruption. Successive governments have made similar pledges without sustained results.

The operation was initiated on his direct orders after judicial authorities issued arrest warrants tied to suspected corruption networks.

A senior INA source said some arrests followed testimony from Adnan al-Jumaili, deputy oil minister for refining affairs, after his detention. His statements reportedly implicated additional officials.

Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi said arrests were continuing. He said anti-corruption efforts remained central to strengthening state institutions and protecting public funds.

Among those detained was Ali Maarij, deputy oil minister for distribution affairs, according to sources who requested anonymity due to sensitivity.

The United States sanctioned Maarij in May, accusing him of diverting Iraqi oil to Iran and Iran-backed militias. He was also accused of blending Iranian crude with Iraqi oil for export using falsified documents.

Iraq’s Oil Ministry rejected the allegations at the time, saying the claims did not fall under Maarij’s responsibilities. He was not available for comment Sunday.

The operation follows recent arrests of senior officials on corruption charges, which led to additional warrants executed the same day.

Most officials live or work inside the Green Zone, which contains parliament, embassies, and the prime minister’s offices.

Some suspects fled before security forces arrived. Authorities closed Green Zone entrances and expanded searches. The campaign is expected to continue in coming days.

The names of individuals accused in corruption-related cases who were detained, including members of parliament and government officials was published by INA. The list was based on confessions attributed to Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili.

According to high-ranking sources, those arrested include:

Muthanna al-Samarrai, head of the Azm Alliance and member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Ziyad al-Janabi, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Bahaa al-Nouri, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Mohammed al-Karbouli, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Alia Nassif, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Hassan al-Khafaji, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Abdul Rahman al-Luwaizi, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Mudhar al-Karawi, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Hind al-Abbasi, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Mohammed Farman al-Jubouri, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Bushra al-Qaisi, member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Mohammed al-Sayhoud, former member of parliament, on corruption charges.
Ali Maaraj, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Distribution Affairs, on corruption charges.
Ibrahim al-Sumaida’i, on corruption charges.

A composite image shows Massoud Barzani (back) and his five sons, from left to right, Waysi, Masrour, Mustafa (Babo), Muksi, and Mansour, 2000s. Photo: iKurd.net/Barzani’s office/fb

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is often described by watchdog organizations as one of the country’s most corruption-prone areas. Reports based on statements from Kurdish lawmakers and leaked documents have alleged that billions of dollars in oil revenue have gone missing.

The Iraqi Kurdistan Region has been described by watchdog groups as one of the most corruption-affected areas in Iraq. Reports from Kurdish lawmakers and leaked documents have alleged that billions of dollars in oil revenue are unaccounted for.

So far, no officials from Kurdistan and the ruling Barzani family have been arrested or sentenced in connection with corruption allegations.

However, the U.S. administration has begun tracking financial transfers linked to the Barzani family into the United States.

(With files from Reuters | INA)