Baghdad – Iraq anti-corruption operation entered a new phase after security forces carried out what officials describe as the country’s largest coordinated crackdown on suspected corruption networks. The operation began before dawn on Sunday, June 28, 2026, and led to the arrest of 47 influential figures from politics, business, and the public sector.
According to a senior security source, the campaign followed months of confidential planning. Authorities designed the operation to prevent information leaks and eliminate political interference before the arrests took place. Officials say Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi worked closely with Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan to oversee the first phase of the campaign.
Elite military formations led the raids instead of traditional police units. The Counter-Terrorism Service and the Special Division conducted synchronized operations across several locations. Their teams moved simultaneously to prevent suspects from escaping or warning others before the arrests.
The Iraq anti-corruption operation focused on several high-profile districts in Baghdad. These included the Green Zone, Al-Mansour, Al-Yarmouk, Zayouna, Sadr City, and Al-Shaab. Security forces also executed judicial warrants in Babil, Maysan, and Erbil as part of the nationwide campaign.
Authorities also expanded the investigation beyond residential compounds. Special units entered the headquarters of a state-owned company in Baghdad. There, officers detained senior technical and financial officials suspected of manipulating budgets and participating in fuel-smuggling schemes.
Despite the scale of the operation, security officials reported a calm and controlled mission. No armed clashes or security incidents occurred during the arrests. Every suspect surrendered after security units surrounded the targeted locations.
The source explained that armored vehicles and armored personnel carriers secured the Green Zone during the operation. Officials described those deployments as precautionary measures rather than a response to violence. Security forces sealed entry and exit routes to stop suspects from fleeing to other provinces before authorities completed the arrests.
Authorities made one exception during the temporary lockdown. Students carrying official national examination cards received permission to pass through the security checkpoints and continue to their examination centers without delay.
Following the arrests, the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court transferred all 47 detainees to the Federal Commission of Integrity. Investigators have already begun questioning the suspects while collecting documents and financial evidence related to the ongoing cases.
Search teams also recovered large amounts of cash during raids on private homes and business offices. Investigators discovered both Iraqi and foreign currencies stored inside hidden vaults. Financial experts are now counting the seized funds before issuing an official report detailing the total amount recovered.
Meanwhile, judicial authorities imposed immediate travel bans on several politicians, lawmakers, and banking executives. Officials said the restrictions will remain in place until investigators complete financial reviews and verify additional evidence connected to the expanding inquiry.
The security source stressed that the latest arrests represent only the opening stage of the wider campaign. Preparations for a second phase are reportedly underway. According to the source, the next stage will focus on senior political leaders, influential party figures, and major financial personalities believed to have avoided accountability for years.
Officials have not announced a timetable for the next wave of arrests. However, they insist that investigations will continue without interruption. They also pledged to pursue every suspect linked to corruption cases regardless of political influence or institutional position.
The Iraq anti-corruption operation marks one of the most significant government actions against corruption in recent years. As investigations continue, authorities expect additional legal measures and further judicial proceedings in the coming weeks