ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Tuesday referenced the ruling Coordination Framework's backing of his anti-corruption campaign, directing government ministers to relieve any officials against whom "suspicions of corruption appear" from their duties.

The Iraqi government, led by Zaidi, launched a large-scale anti-graft campaign in late June, when security forces entered Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone and arrested scores of senior officials and lawmakers over alleged corruption and theft of public resources.

The unprecedented crackdown has been supported by the Coordination Framework, with a Monday meeting of the alliance seeing attendees vowing "not provide political cover for anyone proven by the competent judicial authorities to be involved in corruption cases."

During a regular meeting of the Iraqi Council of Ministers on Tuesday, Zaidi noted the aforementioned statement and "emphasized in his directives to the ministers the need to diagnose and relieve from duty any deputy minister or general director against whom suspicions of corruption appear," according to a statement from his office. 

Several high-profile political figures were arrested on graft charges following the commencement of the June operation, including Azm Alliance leader Muthanna al-Samarrai, former Wasit Governor Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi, Oil Ministry Undersecretary Ali Ma’arij al-Bahadli, and Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie, a senior adviser to former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

The Coordination Framework previously endorsed the campaign during a meeting on July 7 in which they "reaffirmed their support for governmental and judicial measures in combating the scourge of corruption and halting the squandering of public funds."

The Framework appointed Zaidi as a prime ministerial candidate in late April, breaking a deadlock brought about by US President Donald Trump rejecting the candidacy of State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki, who had been the alliance's previous nominee.

Zaidi, who established a career as a businessman and had not held public office before his confirmation as premier, emerged as a compromise candidate and has garnered praise from Washington for his efforts to rein in pro-Iran militias in the country and restrict weapons to the hands of the state.