Iraqi security forces raid Baghdad Green Zone, arrest MPs in anti-corruption crackdown

Iraqi security forces launched a series of raids in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone early Sunday, arresting several politicians, lawmakers and senior government officials as part of what authorities described as a widening anti-corruption campaign.The Green Zone, which houses Iraq's government institutions, parliament, the US embassy and other diplomatic missions, witnessed a heavy deployment of security forces, including armoured vehicles and tanks, according to news agency AFP.Videos circulating on local Telegram channels showed security personnel carrying out operations inside residential compounds and private homes.Agency correspondents also reported heightened security at the entrances to the Green Zone as raids extended to other parts of Baghdad.Arrests linked to corruption investigationA security official cited by AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the raids targeted "several politicians over financial corruption, per judicial orders," adding that anti-terrorism forces and the military took part in the operation.Iraq's state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) said several suspects were arrested based on confessions made by former deputy oil minister Adnan al-Jumaili, who was detained last month on corruption charges.The arrests included members of parliament whose parliamentary immunity had been lifted, as well as other officials.As per news agency AP, a security agency report indicated that seven people, including five lawmakers, were arrested. Some of those detained were reportedly affiliated with former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's political bloc.Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific allegations against those arrested.Elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) units carried out the pre-dawn raids after Iraqi judicial authorities issued arrest warrants as part of a broader crackdown on suspected corruption networks.Security and legal sources cited by Reuters said that some suspects escaped before security forces arrived, prompting authorities to seal off the Green Zone and launch an expanded search operation expected to continue in the coming days.Campaign follows Zaidi's anti-corruption pledgePrime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who took office in May, has repeatedly pledged to tackle Iraq's long-standing corruption problem, which has persisted despite similar promises by successive governments.Authorities earlier this month seized more than $85 million in a corruption case involving Jumaili, with part of the cash reportedly hidden underground.Sunday's operation followed the recent arrests of several senior officials, including Jumaili, whose testimony allegedly implicated a wider network of officials in corruption schemes.Raids come ahead of Washington visitAnother security official said the investigation extends beyond financial corruption to allegations involving the funding of armed factions, the smuggling of US dollars and Iranian oil linked to Tehran-backed groups.A diplomat in Baghdad told AFP the operation was "part of the Washington visit preparations" and intended to demonstrate Zaidi's commitment to his reform agenda before his planned visit to the United States later this month.The raids also coincided with a visit to Baghdad by Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.Zaidi has also vowed to establish a state monopoly over weapons amid growing US pressure to dismantle Tehran-backed armed groups that Washington designates as terrorist organisations.During the recent Middle East conflict, those groups launched attacks on US facilities in Iraq and targets in Gulf countries.No official government statement had been issued on the raids at the time of reporting.Catch the latest world news and top headlines. Download the TOI App.