Published 6:00 p.m
Iraqi authorities have arrested 47 government officials and members of parliament in a major anti-corruption crackdown in Baghdad.
Early Sunday morning, Iraq’s special and anti-terrorist forces carried out a major crackdown on Baghdad’s Green Zone in which embassies, international institutions and politicians’ residences were searched.
47 people, including at least one from the country’s oil ministry, were arrested on suspicion of corruption.
Iraq’s newly appointed Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has promised to fight the country’s corruption and introduce a state arms monopoly. When the US president visits the country next month, al-Zaidi is expected to renew a pledge to disarm pro-Iranian militias.
– What we saw happening today is just the beginning, an anonymous security source told AFP, referring to the anti-corruption campaign launched by the prime minister.
