RT (Russia) reported that on June 29, Iraq launched a large-scale anti-corruption campaign ahead of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to the US next month. The raids are believed to be aimed at Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij, who was accused by the US of supporting Iran.
According to RT, elite counter-terrorism units stormed houses inside the heavily guarded Green Zone in Baghdad early on June 28. This area is home to the US Embassy and other diplomatic missions, offices of international organizations and residences of senior government officials and prominent politicians.
Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi confirmed the anti-corruption campaign on June 28 and said the arrests are ongoing. An unnamed diplomat in Baghdad also told AFP that the raids were "part of preparations for the visit to Washington" and to demonstrate Mr. al-Zaidi's commitment to the promises he made earlier.
At least 47 officials have been arrested in raids, and a list of 15 detainees has also been released by Iraq. Among them is Mr. Maarij, who was arrested on "corruption charges".
The US imposed sanctions on Mr. Maarij in May, accusing him of shifting Iraq's oil to benefit Iran and Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. He was also accused of facilitating Iranian oil exports by mixing it with Iraqi oil and using fake papers. At that time, the Iraqi Oil Ministry rejected the accusations.
Prime Minister al-Zaidi took office in May with a commitment to fight corruption, as well as ensuring state monopoly on weapons, including disarmament of Iranian-backed militias.
