Dhi Qar conference backs Iraq's anti-corruption campaign

DHI QAR, Iraq — Academics, tribal leaders and civil society representatives gathered in Dhi Qar on Friday for a conference expressing support for the government's anti-corruption measures and judicial efforts. Participants, including union representatives and athletes, said they backed the judiciary and the steps taken by the Prime Minister to combat corruption. They also voiced support for government efforts to improve public services and for agreements signed with international companies aimed at establishing an energy city in the province. Iraq's federal government launched the first phase of its campaign to recover public funds on June 28. Under the operation known as "Dawn of Shafaq," politicians, lawmakers and businessmen were detained. Government sources said legal procedures for a second phase, targeting corruption cases in the Health, Oil and Electricity ministries, have been completed. Work continues on tracing domestic and foreign assets and preparing new suspect lists, according to the sources. No further details on the timeline of the second phase were immediately available.