Iraqi security forces have arrested at least 53 current and former politicians, lawmakers and government officials in a sweeping anti-corruption campaign launched by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, with authorities signalling that more than 100 suspects could ultimately face arrest.
The operation, led by Iraq's Counter Terrorism Service and Special Operations Unit, resumed on Monday with raids in the provinces of Wasit, Kirkuk and Anbar, targeting the homes of politicians and relatives of suspects already detained as part of efforts to recover allegedly stolen state funds.
Judicial sources told The New Arab that those arrested since Sunday include political figures, members of parliament and senior government officials accused of corruption.
Large sums of cash, amounting to billions of Iraqi dinars and millions of US dollars, as well as gold, luxury vehicles and other assets were reportedly seized during the raids.
Iraqi authorities have officially disclosed only 15 names through the state news agency, while the identities of other suspects remain confidential due to the ongoing investigation and concerns that additional suspects could flee the country.
The crackdown follows the arrest earlier this month of former deputy oil minister Adnan al-Jumaili, who is accused of overseeing a major corruption network within the Oil Ministry.
According to TNA 's judicial sources, al-Jumaili allegedly admitted to financing election campaigns for politicians and officials during Iraq's November 2025 parliamentary elections and implicated numerous public figures during questioning.
Those reportedly arrested include Muthanna al-Samarrai, leader of the Azm Alliance and a member of parliament; Ziyad al-Janabi, a lawmaker and former head of parliament's Integrity Committee; Bahaa al-Nouri, an MP from former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's Reconstruction and Development Coalition; Mohammed al-Karbouli, an MP from the Azm Alliance; and veteran parliamentarian Alia Nassif.
Former Wasit governor Mohammed Jameel al-Mayahi, politicians Hassanein al-Khafaji and Abdul Rahman al-Luwaizi, lawmakers Mudar al-Karawi, Hind al-Abbasi and Mohammed Farman al-Jubouri, former MP Bushra al-Qaisi, former government adviser Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie, and Ali Maarij, deputy oil minister for distribution, who is under US sanctions, were also named among those detained.
Authorities have also arrested Abbas al-Sudani, the brother of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Abdul Karim al-Sudani, the former prime minister's office chief, Sami al-Sudani, a former government adviser, and Saif al-Din al-Karbouli, director of the Azm Alliance office.
Officials from the oil and electricity ministries have also been detained, including Alaa Samir, director general of the Middle Electricity Distribution Company, as well as oil ministry officials in Kirkuk, Nineveh and Haditha.
Iraq's Kurdistan Region is expected to hand over three MPs who fled there following the launch of the operation, along with other officials wanted under judicial arrest warrants.
According to judicial and government sources, the campaign is expected to expand in the coming days to include additional senior politicians from the previous government, business owners and company executives accused of involvement in embezzling state funds.
The Iraqi government is also preparing a list of fugitives to submit to Interpol in an effort to secure the extradition of suspects who have reportedly fled to neighbouring countries, while parliament could lift the immunity of additional lawmakers as the investigation continues.
Prime Minister al-Zaidi has presented the campaign as part of his government's wider anti-corruption drive, which has received broad support from religious figures and sections of Iraqi society.