More Breaking Iraq News Posted by Clare at KTFA 6-29-2026
KTFA:
Clare: Special forces deployed inside the Green Zone and reports of senior officials being arrested
6/27/2026
A security source reported on Sunday that special security forces were deployed inside the Green Zone in central Baghdad, coinciding with news of arrests targeting senior political officials and security personnel involved in corruption cases.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that special forces were deployed around a number of sensitive headquarters inside the Green Zone, with security measures being tightened at some entrances and roads leading to them.
He added that the security deployment coincided with information about arrests carried out according to judicial orders, targeting figures, officials and security personnel whose names appeared in files related to corruption and abuse of power. LINK
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Clare: Most of them are MPs (Ministers of Parliament) ... State media reveals the names of those arrested on corruption charges
6/28/2026
The Iraqi News Agency revealed on Sunday the names of the politicians and officials arrested on corruption charges as part of the campaign that began at dawn today.
The official Iraqi news agency reported that "the number of detainees on corruption charges has reached 47, including officials and members of parliament."
The names of the detainees were presented, and they are: the head of the Azm Alliance, Member of Parliament Muthanna al-Samarrai, Member of Parliament Ziyad al-Janabi, Member of Parliament Bahaa al-Nouri, Member of Parliament Muhammad al-Karbouli, Member of Parliament Alia Nassif, Member of Parliament Muhammad Jamil al-Mayahi, Member of Parliament Hassan al-Khafaji, Member of Parliament Abdul Rahman al-Luwaizi.
Also: Member of Parliament Mudhar Al-Karawi, Member of Parliament Hind Al-Abbasi, Member of Parliament Muhammad Farman Al-Jubouri, Member of Parliament Bushra Al-Qaisi, former Member of Parliament Muhammad Al-Sayhoud, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Distribution Affairs Ali Ma’araj and Ibrahim Al-Sumaida’i.
The Federal Integrity Commission announced a short while ago that it has begun taking decisive measures to implement the judicial arrest warrants issued against a number of those accused of misappropriating public funds .
The commission confirmed in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that this achievement was the result of the combined and integrated efforts of the three authorities – the judicial, executive, and legislative branches – with the commission’s efforts, which led directly to the implementation of those orders, as a result of diligent and continuous follow-up, auditing, and monitoring operations by the aforementioned entities .
The commission stressed that all its actions are carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the law and under its umbrella, noting that it derives its strength and determination from the absolute popular support and the authority of the law, and the unlimited support and continuous backing from the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament .
An informed source revealed to Shafaq News Agency earlier on Sunday the details of the largest anti-corruption operation in the country, which has so far resulted in the arrest of 43 officials and politicians, and will be completed in a second phase targeting "first-class " figures.
According to the source, the operation that was launched is considered the first part, and the total number of detainees in it reached 43 people, some of whom were released .
It is reported that security forces in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, began on Sunday morning to close the entrances to the fortified Green Zone (which includes the parliament building, government headquarters and diplomatic missions), coinciding with a large-scale raid and search campaign that targeted the homes of MPs, politicians and businessmen .
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. LINK
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Clare: (WAA) exclusively publishes the names of the arrested MPs and officials following Al-Jumaili's confessions
6/28/2026
The Iraqi News Agency (INA) exclusively published today, Sunday, the names of those accused in corruption cases who were arrested, including members of parliament and officials, based on the confessions of the Deputy Minister of Oil, Adnan al-Jumaili.
High-ranking sources told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "those arrested are:
Muthanna al-Samarrai, head of the Azm Alliance and member of parliament, is accused of corruption.
Member of Parliament Ziad al-Janabi accused of corruption
Member of Parliament Bahaa al-Nouri on corruption charges
Member of Parliament Mohammed al-Karbouli on corruption charges
Member of Parliament Alia Nassif faces corruption charges
Member of Parliament Mohammed Jamil Al-Mayahi accused of corruption
Member of Parliament Hassan al-Khafaji accused of corruption
Member of Parliament Abdul Rahman Al-Luwaizi on corruption charges
Member of Parliament Mudhar Al-Karawi on corruption charges
Member of Parliament Hind Al-Abbasi accused of corruption
Member of Parliament Mohammed Farman al-Jubouri on corruption charges
Member of Parliament Bushra al-Qaisi accused of corruption
Former Member of Parliament Mohammed Al-Sayhoud on corruption charges
-Ali Ma'araj, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Distribution Affairs, is accused of corruption.
Ibrahim Al-Sumaidaie on corruption charges
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Clare: With the participation of a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Ministerial Council for Economy held a meeting in Baghdad.
6/28/2026
Erbil (Kurdistan 24) -
The Federal Ministerial Council for Economy will hold a high-level meeting in Baghdad on Monday, June 29, 2026, with the participation of an official delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government, to resolve joint economic and customs issues.
Kurdistan 24 quoted an informed source as saying that the meeting will focus mainly on putting the final touches on the agreement concluded between Erbil and Baghdad regarding the implementation of the ASYCUDA global system for automating and modernizing customs.
The source explained that the talks will resolve four outstanding technical points that still require final agreement between the two governments. These points include the mechanism for collecting and distributing customs duties and revenues, the controls for granting customs exemptions, the strategy for protecting local products from imported goods, as well as agreeing on the formation of a joint field committee to inspect and evaluate unofficial border crossings.
This anticipated meeting comes as a complementary step to the recent understandings between the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Kurdistan Region delegation present in Baghdad, to unify financial and customs policy and ensure the smooth flow of mutual dues. LINK
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Clare: Erbil, Baghdad Near Final ASYCUDA Customs Accord
6/28/2026
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) -
In a critical bid to modernize Iraq's fractured border management and streamline billions of dollars in cross-border commerce, a senior delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has arrived in Baghdad. The officials are scheduled to participate in a pivotal meeting of the Iraqi Ministerial Council for Economy on Monday, aiming to finalize the implementation of the ASYCUDA automated customs platform.
Developed by the United Nations and utilized globally, the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) represents one of the most sophisticated institutional reforms in international customs administration.
By digitizing tariffs, standardizing logistical procedures, and eliminating vast swaths of bureaucratic paperwork, the platform is designed to increase transparency, curb border corruption, and maximize state revenue collection.
The political weight of the KRG delegation arriving Sunday evening underscores the strategic importance of the impending talks.
Led by Minister of Finance and Economy Awat Janab Noori, the negotiating team features top regional executives, including Omed Sabah, President of the Diwan of the Council of Ministers, and Dr. Amanj Rahim, Secretary of the Council of Ministers.
They are accompanied by senior administrative and security figures: Dr. Abdulhakim Khusraw, Head of the Department of Coordination and Follow-up; Ministry of Interior Advisor Dr. Sami Jalal; Director General of Customs Kamal Raouf; and Assistant Director General Jawhar Mahmoud.
According to an informed source who spoke to Kurdistan24, Erbil and Baghdad have already signed a foundational memorandum of understanding regarding the ASYCUDA rollout.
Yet, the transition from paper agreement to functional digital reality hinges on resolving four lingering policy disputes during Monday's session.
First, negotiators must reach a consensus on the distribution of customs and tax revenues generated at the borders.
Second, they must agree on a unified, transparent framework for commercial customs exemptions.
Third, the governments must establish firm, mutual mechanisms to protect domestic agricultural and industrial products from unregulated foreign dumping.
Finally, the council is tasked with approving the creation of a joint federal-regional committee explicitly mandated to inspect unofficial border crossings, a long-standing source of revenue leakage for both capitals.
For years, fragmented customs policies have complicated fiscal relations between Erbil and Baghdad, creating administrative bottlenecks and fostering mutual distrust over revenue sharing.
A fully implemented ASYCUDA system would effectively bridge this divide by providing a single, real-time digital window into the nation's trade flows, ensuring equitable financial oversight.
Reaching an agreement on these final four hurdles would mark a watershed moment in economic integration between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region.
According to Kurdistan24 sources, should Monday's negotiations succeed, the ASYCUDA accord will be fully ratified and move immediately into its active implementation phase.
For regional businesses, international investors, and public finances, the modernization of these procedures promises a newly predictable, transparent, and seamlessly coordinated Iraqi market. LINK