Iraq PM orders expansion of anti-corruption operations across state sectors

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Fallah al-Zaydi has ordered the expansion of anti-corruption operations to cover all state sectors, his press office said. The directive came during a meeting chaired by al-Zaydi with security, oversight and law enforcement bodies, where officials reviewed the security and economic situation and the status of ongoing corruption cases. According to the statement, the prime minister said the government would continue implementing its ministerial action plan and that those involved in corruption would be referred to the judiciary. Discussions also focused on strengthening institutional coordination to safeguard public assets. Al-Zaydi described drug trafficking as a direct threat to public safety and called for tough measures against narcotics networks. The statement added that corruption and economic crime networks will be tracked by intelligence and oversight units, with investigations into cases involving public funds accelerated.