Peloni: Reports that this was a purge of Iranian aligned Islamists.
The Green Zone includes Baghdad’s parliament building, various government institutions, and embassies, with many politicians also having residences in the area.
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN |
Tanks and heavy armored vehicles active in locking down the Green Zone in Bagdad while gunfire is clearly audible. Screengrab via X
Iraqi security forces carried out raids overnight in Baghdad’s storied “Green Zone” in the heart of the capital. Videos showed armored vehicles and members of the elite Iraq Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) carrying out the raids.
There were reports of gunfire, and the raids continued until the pre-dawn hours of June 28. Videos from the Green Zone showed black Humvees, apparently belonging to CTS, driving through the streets.
Iraq’s Shafaq News Agency noted that “Court orders target MPs and politicians… The Green Zone [was] closed and eight people [were] arrested in central Baghdad.”
The report went on to note “a large-scale raid and search campaign targeting the homes of members of parliament, politicians, and businessmen.”
The report went on to note “a large-scale raid and search campaign targeting the homes of members of parliament, politicians, and businessmen.”
A security source told Shafaq News that the Counter Terrorism Service forces set up intensive checkpoints inside the area.
“The source added that the special unit arrested more than eight people at dawn today, including members of the House of Representatives, based on judicial arrest warrants related to financial and administrative corruption cases,” Shafaq News reported.
A separate raid took place north of Baghdad in the area of al-Shaab, a neighborhood in its Adhamiyah district.
“These unprecedented and stringent measures come in conjunction with frequent reports of an expanded list of prosecutions targeting senior officials, security personnel, and businessmen on charges of illicit enrichment and squandering of public funds,” Shafaq noted.
Al-Shaab targeted by ISIS bombings
Shaab is populated by Shi’ites. In 2012, Shi’ite pilgrims were targeted by bombs, killing at least 16 people, and then in 2016, they were targeted by ISIS bombings. It was not clear who was targeted on June 28.
The raids come as Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi vowed to crack down on corruption on the eve of a trip to the US in July.
“Our visit to Washington is not a routine protocol visit. It represents the announcement of a new phase of partnership between Iraq and the United States, built on shared interests and mutual respect,” Zaidi said recently.
Speaking to Sky News, he said that in September, the international coalition forces would conclude their combat mission against ISIS and withdraw from Iraq permanently.
“In the next phase, we envision American presence through economic investment and development partnerships. We seek to transition from military partnership to sustainable economic partnership and to build an effective economic bridge between Iraq and the United States that serves the interests of both peoples.”
Zaidi is seeking to disarm Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.
Iraq’s prime minister is still trying to make all the appointments in his new government, which are expected to take place this week as he consolidates power.
Hormuz blockade affecting Iraq
Meanwhile, earlier this month, the outgoing National Security Adviser Qassim al-Araji stated that “rapid developments and successive crises in the region have imposed economic, security, and political challenges that threaten institutional stability and business continuity.”
Iraq has suffered from the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Overnight, many rumors circulated in Baghdad about who had been arrested. Several people claimed that Muthanna al-Samarrai, a leader of the Azm Alliance and a prominent Sunni politician, had been detained.
Other names circulating, but unconfirmed, included Mohammed al-Karbouli, a member of the Taqaddum Party close to Sunni leader Mohammed al-Halbousi; former Iraqi minister and tribal leader Mohammed al-Sayhoud, who was also close to former Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki; State of Law coalition politicians Alia Nassif and Bahaa al-Nouri; former advisor to Iraq’s prime minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani; and Mudar al-Karawi of the Azm Alliance.
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