Iraqi security forces detained nearly 50 people, including a dozen members of parliament and senior officials, in early morning raids on 28 June after shutting the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. The operation also resulted in the seizure of hundreds of millions of dollars in cash and gold, marking a sweep against state-level corruption under newly inaugurated Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
The Green Zone Lockdowns and the 28 June Raids
On 28 June, Iraqi authorities implemented strict security measures around the Green Zone, deploying US-made Abrams tanks and black-clad counter-terrorism units. Unlike previous closures meant to keep protesters out, these measures prevented individuals inside the sprawling neighborhood—home to the presidential palace, parliament, and the US embassy—from leaving. According to government sources cited by the Guardian, the early morning raids targeted elite political networks. Video footage circulated widely, showing masked officers recovering safes filled with money, jewelry, and suitcases of US dollars from properties linked to suspected officials.
Systemic Corruption and the Muhasasa Power-Sharing System
The arrests exposed deep vulnerabilities within Iraq’s muhasasa power-sharing system, established after the 2003 US invasion. Under this system, government posts are divided among Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish factions, often creating party fiefdoms. According to an international banker interviewed by the Guardian, political parties built mini-states within the state, siphoning between 5% and 10% of every government contract. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, a 41-year-old businessman who took office in May, pledged to dismantle these financial empires without red lines amid an empty state treasury caused by halted oil exports.
Did you know?
The Green Zone is enclosed by five-metre-high armoured steel gates and concrete blast walls, normally closed during popular protests over failing electricity and unemployment.
The Adnan al-Jumaili Oil Ministry Scandal
The investigation heavily centered on Adnan al-Jumaili, who was appointed deputy oil minister responsible for refineries in January. According to judicial investigations reported by the Guardian, al-Jumaili operated a scheme that generated hundreds of millions of dollars through corrupted contracts and diverted fuel shipments. Following his arrest on 30 May, authorities recovered vast amounts of hidden wealth, including cash stuffed in plastic water bottles, concealed in walls, and buried underground. By July, total seizures reached 127bn Iraqi dinars ($96m) and $24m in cash, alongside 375kg of gold and 70 properties.
US Involvement and Judicial Enforcement
The anti-corruption drive coincided with heightened diplomatic engagement from the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the 28 June raids in Baghdad?
The raids were ordered following judicial investigations into systemic corruption and illegal campaign financing.
How much money and gold was seized in the oil ministry case?
According to judicial authorities, seizures by July reached 127bn Iraqi dinars ($96m), $24m in cash, and 375kg of gold, alongside numerous properties and vehicles.
What is the muhasasa system in Iraq?
Established after the 2003 US invasion, muhasasa is a power-sharing arrangement that divides government ministries and state posts among sectarian and ethnic political factions.
Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on Iraq’s recent anti-corruption measures? Leave a comment below or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on Middle Eastern politics and economics.
Related reading