Iraq security forces arrest officials in Baghdad anticorruption crackdown

Elite Iraqi security personnel have carried out a dawn arrest operation in Baghdad, detaining several politicians, lawmakers and officials on corruption charges. The operation took place in the fortified Green Zone and in nearby neighbourhoods, according to a security source cited by state-run media. It is the latest sign of a widening anticorruption drive in the capital.

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The arrests were linked to statements provided by deputy oil minister Adnan al-Jumaili after his earlier arrest last month on corruption charges. Authorities had also seized about $86 million in cash this month, which was said to be part of the same case. A security source said the arrests were carried out by the Counter Terrorism Service, but there was no immediate official statement from the government or security forces.

State-run media reported that several people were detained early on Sunday, including members of parliament whose immunity had been lifted and officials whose names appeared in confessions. Another report said seven people were arrested, including five members of parliament. It was not immediately clear who had been taken into custody, and the identities of those detained were not confirmed in the available reports.

The arrests were described as part of a corruption case that has already reached senior political and administrative figures. The operation matters because it comes as Iraq's new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, has pledged to tackle corruption and mismanagement that have affected the country for decades. Anti-corruption cases in Iraq often carry political as well as legal consequences, particularly when they involve lawmakers or figures linked to major blocs.

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The reported arrests also come at a time when public pressure remains high over governance, accountability and the handling of state resources. The case is tied to a broader political backdrop in which Iraq's parliamentary blocs have been negotiating power and influence after recent elections. Reports said some of those arrested were from the political bloc of former prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, whose alliance won the largest share of seats in November's parliamentary elections.

He did not return as prime minister, stepping aside amid a deadlock within the Coordination Framework, a grouping of Shia parties allied with Iran. What remains unclear is the full list of those detained, the exact charges they face and whether further arrests will follow. There has also been no immediate public explanation from the authorities about the evidence behind the operation beyond the reference to al-Jumaili's statements and the cash seizure.

The next developments will likely depend on whether officials issue a formal account of the case and whether the arrests lead to additional legal action in Baghdad.

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