ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said Sunday that the government’s recent anti-corruption campaign is “only the first phase,” pledging to continue efforts to combat corruption and recover public funds a day after at least 47 high-ranking officials were arrested in a major anti-graft purge. 

Speaking during a Council of Ministers meeting, Zaidi said the government would press ahead with measures targeting corruption and those responsible for misusing state resources.

“The government’s recent anti-corruption campaign represents only the first phase,” he said, stressing that the government will continue its efforts to combat corruption and recover public funds.

He added that “the government is entrusted with safeguarding the interests of the Iraqi people” and that “there will be no tolerance in fulfilling this responsibility.”

The premier described corruption in Iraq as a situation that “can no longer be ignored,” adding that the government’s commitment to the welfare of Iraqis requires reassuring citizens that “public funds are protected by capable guardians and will be managed responsibly.”

Zaidi said Iraq has endured decades of wars, instability and the fight against terrorism, adding that the government’s current path focuses on strengthening the authority of the state, ensuring its exclusive control over arms and the use of force, and preventing corrupt individuals from exploiting state institutions to steal public funds.

The crackdown began early Sunday when Iraqi security forces carried out raids inside Baghdad’s Green Zone, detaining 47 lawmakers and senior officials on corruption charges, according to state media.

Those arrested included Sunni Azm Alliance leader Muthanna al-Samarrai, lawmakers Mohammed al-Karbouli, Ziad al-Janabi, Hind al-Abbasi and Mudhar al-Karawi, former Wasit governor Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi, Oil Ministry Undersecretary Ali Ma’arij al-Bahadli, and Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie, a senior advisor to former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

Following the arrests, the Reconstruction and Development Coalition of Sudani and the State of Law Coalition of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki backed the campaign with statements, despite several of the arrested officials having links to Sudani. 

“This campaign must continue until its objectives are fully achieved, foremost among them the recovery of all plundered funds,” said Bahaa al-Araji, head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition’s parliamentary bloc, while Maliki urged Zaidi to “pursue this mission until the end, as it is a long-awaited step from the Iraqi people.”