Iraq's anti-corruption crackdown faces scepticism despite dramatic raids

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Iraq's government conducted a major anti-corruption crackdown with raids resulting in arrests of 47 officials and seizure of millions in cash and assets. Despite the dramatic actions, many Iraqis doubt if powerful political figures will face consequences, calling for accountability and improved governance.

Iraq's anti-corruption crackdown faces scepticism despite dramatic raids Azhar Al-Rubaie on Tue, 07/07/2026 - 15:35 Authorities have recovered tens of millions in cash and assets, but many Iraqis are questioning whether the campaign will also extend to powerful political figures Iraqi security forces stand guard in Baghdad on 8 March 2026 (Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP) Off A dawn raid inside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone delivered one of Iraq's most dramatic anti-corruption crackdowns in years, but many Iraqis remain unconvinced that some of the country's most powerful figures will ever face justice. Tanks, armoured vehicles and counter terrorism units rolled into Baghdad Residence, a neighbourhood near the US Embassy inside the Green Zone early on 28 June, following an investigation by Iraq's new government into funds allegedly obtained through irregularities in state projects. During the raids, which resulted in the arrests of at least 47 people, heavily armed troops could be seen raiding the homes and offices of politicians, members of parliament and other senior officials, resulting in the seizure of millions of dollars in cash, gold bars and even gold-made women's lingerie.  The raids quickly dominated Iraqi television and social media, with footage of the operations drawing comparisons to scenes more familiar from Hollywood action films.  For many Iraqis, it was an unprecedented display of force against a political class long accused of enriching itself at the state's expense. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "It's really shocking seeing millions of dollars hidden in the gardens of politicians, finding gold bars and gold-made women's lingerie that they use to please themselves with our money," Mohammed Basheer, a 24-year-old from Basra, told Middle East Eye. Iraq arrests 47 officials in anti-corruption crackdown Read More » Despite welcoming the campaign, Basheer said its credibility would depend on whether it ultimately targeted Iraq's most powerful figures. "I am looking forward to seeing if [Prime Minister Ali] al-Zaidi will touch the big heads. If he does not, then it would be unfortunate - just like a TV show," he added. "As previous prime ministers did almost the same campaigns, I need to see where this will end, and how serious it is when it comes to holding big officials accountable." Jassim Mohammed, a 52-year-old from Baghdad, shared that scepticism. "Let's wait and see how serious this campaign is. If so, that would be great; if not, then it is just a bubble," he said. "Taking corrupt politicians to jail would be a good lesson to others to avoid following their path in stealing the people's money. However, after this campaign, the prime minister should offer good services, better infrastructure, and, most importantly, kick out the Iran-backed allies," he added. Al-Zaidi to visit Washington The raids come just weeks before al-Zaidi is due to visit Washington, where his government faces mounting US pressure to curb the influence of Iran-backed armed groups and demonstrate greater control over Iraq's institutions. The timing has also fuelled speculation that the campaign is intended not only to reassure Iraqis frustrated by endemic corruption, but also to signal to Washington that Baghdad is serious about targeting officials affiliated with Shia parties close to Iran. According to the Iranian opposition outlet Iran International, several of the officials that were arrested in pre-dawn raids were figures linked to Shia parties close to Iran. The outlet also reported that the raids came on the heels of US Special Envoy Tom Barrack's recent meeting with al-Zaidi. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Renad Mansour, the director of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House, said he believed the raids were aimed at projecting credibility beyond Iraq. '[Prime Minister] al-Zaidi is looking to sell his administration - not just to the Iraqi public - but to the US and its allies in the region' - Renad Mansour, Chatham House "Al-Zaidi is looking to sell his administration - not just to the Iraqi public - but to the US and its allies in the region," he told MEE. "In particular because of the threat that the US is posing to Iraq with sanctions, and because Iraq is stuck in the middle of this war between Israel, the US, and Iran." Mansour argued that while the campaign has generated headlines and uncovered significant sums of cash and gold, it had so far avoided confronting the political figures who sit at the top of Iraq's patronage system. "The ongoing anti-corruption campaign has been effective only insofar as he has managed to go after some middle-ranking officials and, through those arrests, uncover a lot of cash and gold bars. So, the theatrics are certainly there," he said, adding that it wasn't a coincidence. "Because of that, the prime minister is pursuing this anti-corruption campaign. The drive is very muc