Published on 6/30/2026
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi confirmed that the anti-corruption campaign led by his government is based on “purely national motives” and does not aim to achieve any political gains or goals, at a time when investigations are continuing that have revealed, according to the government, new people involved in corruption cases, amid division in political and elite circles regarding the nature of the campaign, its timing, and the mechanisms for its implementation.
Al-Zaidi’s statements came in conjunction with the continuation of an arrest campaign targeting individuals suspected of involvement in corruption files, while the government stressed that all procedures are carried out in accordance with the law and the constitution, and that investigations are constantly expanding to uncover more of those involved.
Professor of Political Science and Head of the Center for Political Thinking, Ihsan Al-Shammari, said that Al-Zaidi’s statements came in response to accusations of politicizing the anti-corruption campaign, stressing that the spread of corruption and financial collapse the country is witnessing requires decisive national measures.
Al-Shammari explained in his speech to the “Beyond the News” program on Al Jazeera, that the arrests did not target a specific political party, noting that they included figures from different governorates and affiliations, and that the government and the Integrity and Judicial Commission rely in their procedures on evidence and confessions, and not on political affiliations.
In response to criticism about the targeting of specific political forces, Al-Shammari said that the arrests included first-class figures, including the head of the Azm Alliance, in addition to a number of members of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, which is part of the coordination framework, considering that this reflects a balance in the conduct of investigations.
‘The timing raises questions’
On the other hand, political analyst Abdul Rahman Al-Jubouri believed that the timing of the campaign raises questions about whether it comes in response to a national need or whether it represents a prelude to the Prime Minister’s visit to the United States of America, in light of the talk about the economic and investment reform files that will be discussed during the visit.
He added that one of the most notable drawbacks to the campaign was that it did not include all parties of the political system, considering that corruption in Iraq is “system corruption” and not just the corruption of individuals. He also pointed out the possibility of a link between the campaign and changes in the internal and regional balance of power.
Despite stressing the importance of combating corruption, Al-Jubouri stressed the need for procedures to be more transparent, and to announce to public opinion the nature of the accusations against each accused, while fully adhering to the standards of fair trials and human rights, warning that any selectivity may undermine confidence in the campaign.
For his part, Director of Research at the Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, Mustafa Al-Saray, confirmed that combating corruption represents one of the most prominent commitments included in the government program, considering that the launch of the campaign would have occurred whether the defendants confessed or not, given Iraq’s need for internal reforms and external pressures pushing in this direction.
He pointed out that some of the detainees’ files are not directly linked to the confessions of the main accused, but rather to other corruption cases, which reflects the breadth of the investigations.
Al-Saray believed that it is still early to evaluate the campaign at this stage, because it represents only the first stage, explaining that a degree of secrecy in the procedures aims to prevent the escape of wanted persons and ensure the completion of investigations.
The Iraqi Prime Minister’s announcement that some of those involved were given the choice between returning the stolen funds or prosecution sparked widespread debate about the feasibility of this option.
Al-Shammari considered that settlements may be a preliminary measure for some civil servants within state institutions before completing investigations, but at the same time he warned that excessive settlement policy may reflect negatively on the credibility of the campaign.
On the other hand, Al-Jubouri believed that the amount of looted funds makes the issue linked to Iraqi national security, demanding that the mechanisms for recovering funds be clear and subject to full transparency, while ensuring the confidentiality of investigations and not affecting the course of justice.
Al-Saray linked the anti-corruption campaign to the government’s measures to confine arms to the state, considering that the two files form part of a single reform vision, and that they receive attention within the framework of the understandings with the United States, especially with regard to economic reform and reducing the influence of armed factions in the economic and political aspects.
He added that the government seeks to show practical and concrete steps before Al-Zaidi’s expected visit to Washington, stressing that the success of economic and security reforms remains linked to the state’s ability to dismantle the networks of corruption that have penetrated its institutions.
The participants in the discussion concluded by emphasizing that the success of the campaign will remain dependent on its continuation in accordance with standards of justice and judicial independence, far from selectivity or political considerations, and on its ability to reach all those involved in corruption cases, regardless of their positions and influence.
